Thieves smashed windows and grabbed items from more than 20 vehicles in a four-block area in Stapleton early Monday morning.
They stole a vehicle, which was recovered, and threatened a homeowner with what she described as a shotgun when she confronted the thieves, Denver Police said.
Police are looking for a silver or possibly white, two-door pickup truck in connection with the thefts, said Sonny Jackson, Denver Police Department spokesman.
Police received conflicting descriptions of the suspects.
The thieves also snagged several bicycles by apparently using garage door openers found in cars to enter the garages, Jackson said.
Citywide, Denver Police reported a 29 percent increase in similar crimes last year. Police are reminding people to remove all valuables from their vehicles, Jackson said.
“A lot of it could be prevented if you don’t leave things in your car, then they will move on,” Jackson said.
So many thefts in one night is unusual, Jackson said, but multiple break-ins in one area aren’t uncommon as thieves slip in under cover of darkness at night and exploit a neighborhood or parking lot. “When there is a wave in a night it’s frustrates us and puts the community on edge because it affects their quality of life as well as the monetary loss,” Jackson said.
Police ask the public to keep cars locked and call police if they see suspicious activity.
