Sudbury is the latest Massachusetts community to see Indian and South Asian families targeted by thieves. Now, police across the state are working together to try and figure out if the break-ins are connected.
Police said both homes that were broken into in Sudbury this week happened while the homeowners were away. The thieves also entered both of the homes through second-floor windows. The impacted homes are on Twin Pond Lane and Cudworth Lane.
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"That's kind of an unusual MO, but keep in mind, second-floor windows are not alarmed like first-floor windows might be," Sudbury Police Chief Scott Nix said.
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The method for breaking in is a key detail as police departments in more than a half-dozen communities investigate similar break-ins. All of the victims are of South Asian or Indian descent.
Investigators are looking into similar crimes in Billerica, Easton, Lincoln, Natick, North Attleboro, Weston and Wellesley.
"This is definitely something that has become a pattern," Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said.
There have been at least 14 break-ins in Middlesex County, according to Ryan. The thieves often get away with cash and gold jewelry.
"These are happening in communities where there's a good amount of distance between the homes, so neighbors are not noticing someone at a back window," Ryan said.
In addition to locking doors and windows, police are encouraging homeowners not to share vacation plans on social media. In all of the break-ins, the thieves had a long time to survey the house for valuables because the homeowners were away.
"We will absolutely collaborate with anybody who has information. We might have one piece of the puzzle. Attleboro or Natick might have other pieces of the puzzle and if we get the puzzle complete, we will be successful," Nix said.
