ARIZONA COMPUTERS STOLEN http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/01/13/20110113goodyear-smash-grab-burglaries.html

'Smash and grab' burglaries challenge Goodyear police

10 comments by Jackee Coe - Jan. 13, 2011 12:00 PM
The Arizona Republic

Goodyear police are investigating "smash and grab" burglaries in which flat-panel TVs, computers and cash registers have been stolen overnight.

There have been 17 burglaries around the city since October, most between McDowell Road and Van Buren Street, and Dysart Road and Estrella Parkway.

Each burglary is what police Cmdr. Ralph McLaughlin called a "smash and grab" - the burglar smashes the front window, grabs whatever items are easily accessible, and then leaves.

"It's quick and easy. It's a crime of opportunity," McLaughlin said. "They smash the window, they're in, they're ripping the TVs off the walls . . . and they'll be out the door, so it doesn't take very long at all."

So far, evidence is limited, but police hope the pattern will help link the burglaries once they make an arrest. The Police Department has stepped up overnight patrol and assigned the investigation to the street-crimes unit.

Tiny Teeth Dental and Taste of Italy each have been burglarized three times since October. Each time, the thieves took TVs the businesses had mounted on the walls, front-desk computers and cash registers.

The financial burden of replacing the stolen electronics has been the most difficult part about dealing with the burglaries.

Tony Navarra, vice president of business operations for Tiny Teeth Dental, said the firm's insurance covers the costs, but multiple claims drive up the insurance premiums, so "it's just cheaper to replace the items" out of pocket.

Each time Dine Ambari, owner of Taste of Italy, replaced the stolen TVs in his pizza shop, a burglary followed weeks later. He hasn't replaced the TVs that were stolen most recently and so far the burglars haven't returned.

"Now, I have no TV in my shop over here," he said. "When I have no TV, it's no trouble over here."

Ambari and Navarra said they have been happy with the Police Department's response.

"As they realized how many times we were being hit, their response quickly picked up and we've actually been quite pleased," Navarra said. "(We're) a little disappointed we still haven't caught the people, but they're doing what they can."

Both businesses have alarm systems installed and Tiny Teeth Dental also has video surveillance. The businesses have made changes to security since the burglaries started and are considering more.

McLaughlin suggested businesses invest in folding metal security gates because they "would probably deter if not prevent" burglaries. But the gates can be expensive and many businesses rent their space rather than own it, so he also suggested installing video surveillance and choosing an alarm company with "a quick response."

Anyone who sees or hears anything suspicious, especially around businesses late at night or in the early morning, is asked to call the Goodyear Police Department at 623-932-1220.