SLPD Responds to Recent Burglary Scam on Sybil Avenue

A Patcher recently spoke out about a burglary scam that occurred on Sybil Avenue, near Bancroft Avenue.

A home was burglarized on Saturday around 4 p.m.; after a man told the homeowner he was doing work on the fence of the condominium next door and needed to get into his backyard. The man insisted the homeowner come with him to the backyard. As they were outside, another man entered the house and took coins and jewelry.

Read: San Leandro Neighborhood Scam

According to Lt. Randall Brandt, this scam has happened before in San Leandro but it hasn’t happened for awhile. These types of scams are common throughout the Bay Area.

Read: Police Warn of Burglars Posing as Fence Fixers

Read: Burglars Posing as City Employees Hit Fremont, Union City

Read: Union City Police Warn Against Burglars Posing as City Employees 

“If it’s happened in Union City and Fremont, it’s only a matter of time that it starts happening in San Leandro,” said Lt. Brandt.

In response to this incident, San Leandro Police Department has offered tips to help prevent this from happening to other homeowners in San Leandro.

“We need to educate the community before it becomes a real issue,” stated Lt. Brandt.

• Burglars tend to target the elderly because they are more naïve.

• Subjects who commit daytime burglaries will frequently approach a front door, knock on it or ring the doorbell, they wait to see if someone answers.  In some cases, if no one answers, these subjects will then walk around to the side or the house or backyard and forcibly enter through a door or window.

• If someone comes to a homeowner’s front door, acknowledge that person(s) verbally through a locked door, whether it be a security screen door or the main door. If the homeowner feels something is suspicious, they should contact the authorities immediately. Certainly if a homeowner sees a stranger on the side of their house or in their backyard, they should contact the authorities immediately.

• In the case of City employees, homeowners should be asking to see some type of identification prior to moving forward with any type of work. NEVER allow a stranger into your home unless they have previously scheduled an appointment. 

• Don’t get caught up in a conversation with someone you feel is suspicious.