Los Gatos, Monte Sereno Homes Robbed $100K Bicycles, Jewelry

Two area homes were burglarized in November with the most recent crime occurring on Thanksgiving Day at a Monte Sereno residence.

According to Los Gatos Monte Sereno police, one or more thieves burglarized a residence at about 5 p.m. Nov. 23 located on Karl Avenue in Monte Sereno stealing more than $50,000 in bicycles, electronics and jewelry.

The homeowners were out of town due to the holiday, according to police.

Preliminary investigation reveals it appears the burglars entered the home, which didn't have a security alarm, via a back door to the master bedroom, said Sgt. Stephen Walpole.

Police have no leads at this time as to who may have committed the crime, but said a very similar residential break-in occurred on College Avenue in Los Gatos 12 days earlier to this burglary.

The loss in the previous burglary was also more than $50,000 in jewelry and other items.

"I would just recommend residents lock their doors and close their windows. Many residential burglaries occur when residents leave their doors unlocked," Sgt. Walpole said.

A resident on Newell Avenue in Los Gatos, who declined to be identified, emailed us to report that on Nov. 29 his La Rinconada property was entered by a burglar through the back yard, got stuck in the side yard due to locks on the doors and fled over the fence.

Fortunately, the burglar wasn't able to break into the home and nothing was stolen, however, he did damage the door locks trying to escape, he said.

"Tell your readers to watch your back yard, not the front," he said, adding that he had notified police.