RIVERVIEW — Police believe two burglaries that occurred Feb. 28 are related.
One happened in the 12000 block of Johanna Court; the other was in the 18000 block of Matthews. The house on Matthews is adjacent to the north side of the house on Johanna Court.
The burglary on Johanna Court was discovered by the 52-year-old owner at 11:45 p.m. Feb. 28.
She had left with a friend for drinks at a local bar at 8:30 p.m. They left through the back door, locking the handle lock, but not the dead bolt.
When the two returned, they noticed her bedroom had been ransacked.
She told police her outer gate was closed as usual, and that she had to use her key to get into the back door.
A jewelry box was found dumped onto the bed, along with a single-shot, 20-gauge shotgun the owner said had been in the closet. One of her dresser drawers was also out of place.
Two gold rings, a pair of earrings and a gold bracelet were taken.
Nothing else in the house was touched.
Marks were found on the rear door that were consistent with a sharp object being jammed into the locks.
The burglary on Matthews was discovered by the 77-year-old owner at 12:30 a.m. March 1.
She had left with her daughter at 5:30 p.m. the day before, and her son left the house an hour later.
When she came home she found her son’s bedroom ransacked, and she believes some of her jewelry was taken, but is unsure of the amount.
Police believe the mode of operation in the burglaries likely links them.
A prying tool was used to the door lock and deadbolt to gain access to the house. The tool marks left on both doors were nearly identical.