Piedmont Police Warn of Daytime Burglaries

Police have asked Piedmont residents to be vigilant because of a wave of daytime residential burglaries in different parts of the city.

Watch for people going to doors and knocking, said Piedmont Police Chief John Hunt III in a news release. If someone answers, they say they are looking for a friend and leave quickly. If no one answers, they see if they can break in.

The latest suspects, seen at two locations in the past few days, are described as younger adult black males, said Hunt. A car was noticed in one incident.

Police are frustrated because they might have been able to make arrests if citizens were more prompt in reporting suspicious activity, Hunt said.

One citizen waited a day before calling. She noticed suspects walking down driveways to front doors of neighbors, and then in her own driveway talked to the individuals, who asked for “John.” She said she didn’t call sooner because “she did not want to be accused of racial profiling,” said Hunt.

“Going up to residential doors during the daytime, knocking, waiting for an answer (if answered, then asking for ‘a friend’ you have never heard of) is what burglars do, no matter their race,” said Hunt. “If the subjects happen to be black, it is not racial profiling to call about them — if they are doing what was just described.”

Another resident waited 45 minutes to make a call about door-knockers because she had company.

Hunt urged residents to take note of license plate numbers, suspects’ direction of flight and as much clothing and car description as possible.

“Working together we can put these burglars in custody,” said Hunt.