Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Host Neighborhood Watch Meeting Tonight

On Feb. 2, Monte Sereno residents on Eaton Lane returned home from an out-of-town trip to find more than $20,000 in jewelry stolen and a laptop computer taken, according to police.

That same day, another Monte Sereno resident told police he had spotted the theft of personal property from a private residence at 10:18 a.m. on La Rinconada Drive.

A citizen reported a residential burglary at 8:19 a.m. Feb. 2 on Pollard Road. A custom motorcycle was stolen along with personal property.

The crime was followed by another home break-in on Montclair Road in Los Gatos reported to police at 9:38 p.m. Feb. 3. Suspects took jewelry and a bicycle, police said.

On Feb. 4 at 12:30 p.m. another residential burglary was reported on Hershner Drive in Los Gatos.

The rash of home break-ins was folloed by a string of burglaries east of town in the Vista del Monte neighborhood.

Messages left on the i-Neighbors board revealed one home owner spoke to a Los Gatos-Monte Sereno police officer whom she quoted as saying the department was "getting slammed" by the crimes.

"It's very important to get the word out on this," wrote Los Gatos resident Katie Anderson to Los Gatos Patch about the incidents.

Anderson lives in the neighborhood and said burglars also broke into a Baron Drive home in San Jose Tuesday, Feb. 5 between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

The thieves accessed the property by breaking a backyard window and ransacking the house taking electronics like tablets, an iMac, gaming and entertainment systems.

A home burglary was reported at 3:51 p.m. Feb. 7 on Cerro Chico.

In another incident, a suspect used a ruse to distract the victims convincing them to go into their backyard for a fictitious construction problem. While the victims were outside, other suspects entered the home and burglarized it at 5:03 p.m. Feb. 8 on Lu Ray Drive.

The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department issued a press release in mid February warning residents about an increase in door-to-door solicitors in local neighborhoods.

Since early January 2013, the department said it has responded to more than 77 calls for service regarding unwanted solicitors in Los Gatos and Monte Sereno.

To address the recent home burglary spree in both communities, the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department will be hosting a Neighborhood Watch meeting at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Monday, March 11 in the Los Gatos Town Council Chambers, 110 E. Main St.

Neighborhood Watch is one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear in neighborhoods, the department said on the town's website. "It creates bonds among area residents, helps to reduce burglaries, and improves relationships between the police and the community they serve."

Residents who attend the meeting will find out how to be extra eyes and ears for the LGMSPD, recognize and report suspicious activities, and make their neighborhood a safer place to live, said the meeting notice on the town's website.

For more information about the Los Gatos Neighborhood Watch program, please click here.