LaGRANGE — Residents who live and work along North Greenwood Street near Mooty Bridge Road hope to discover who keeps breaking into their homes and businesses over the past month.

It is the same question investigators with the LaGrange Police Department want answered as well after discovering a trend of burglaries and entering autos in that area.

Investigators plotted each of those crimes reported within the last 30 days on a map and noticed a cluster of calls starting at the extreme north end of Greenwood Street down to Broad Street.

“Whenever we start seeing several crimes occurring in the same area it is very concerning. It raises red flags,” said Sgt. William Nelson. “So we start looking for things, starting with: Who is it? Who’s on parole and lives in that area? Is there a lot of juvenile delinquencies in that area? Those are just some of the factors we look at.”

In the past 30 days, nine burglaries have been reported in the North Greenwood Street corridor; three within the past week, Nelson said. Some of the incidents also had a common connection.

“There are similar things being taken … primarily small electronics and TVs,” said Nelson.

During the same 30 days, LaGrange police also responded to four entering autos. In each case, the car doors were left unlocked and valuables placed in plain view where people could see them, Nelson said.

Investigators are still tracking down leads they hope will help them catch whoever is responsible for the crimes. Since most of the incidents are clustered down North Greenwood Street, officials believe the thieves live or work close to the area, said Nelson.

LaGrange police want home and business owners to be more vigilant about watching their surroundings and keeping their residences safe.

“This time of year people leave the window unlocked or something was left unsecured,” Nelson said. “Or we’ve had instances where suspects have made entry through an A.C. (air conditioning) window unit. So we need people to close and lock their windows when their done and secure or lock their A.C. units so they cannot be removed.”

Law enforcement officials hope to receive more calls when people see something that does not look right, like flashlights inside a darkened home or a suspicious vehicle.

There are also steps people can take when they are traveling out of town and will be away from their home for a period of time.

“If they’re going to be gone for an extended period of time, they can put their home on the LaGrange Police Department’s ‘keep check’ list. A patrol officer will drive by and keep an eye on the home while they’re gone,” said Nelson. “Also communicate with close friends and family members to check on the house and pick up mail and newspapers so they don’t pile up.”

Anyone interested in placing their house on the “keep check” list can contact the LaGrange Police Department at 706-883-2603. Ask for the supervisor on duty.

If anyone has information regarding the burglaries or entering autos, call LPD or Troup County Crime Stoppers at 706-812-1000. Callers can remain anonymous.