Two North Royalton homes were recently burglarized. One home was broken into and the family pet was shot to death. Both burglaries took place during the day.
Police were called to a home on Castle Drive on Friday, November 10, at about 3:30 p.m. The resident came home to find that the house had been ransacked and the family dog, a young German shepherd, had been shot. The house was forcefully entered. Another house on Dogwood Trail was also burglarized the next afternoon. Police do not think the two are related.
On the first burglary, police are looking for a older, light colored SUV, white or silver, said Detective Dave Sword of the North Royalton Police Department. Police believe two white males were in the vehicle. There are no suspects at the time of this writing on the second burglary, although there was a male in the area, asking residents if they wanted their leaves raked, but he didn’t have a rake. Police are still investigating both incidents.
“Almost all, about 95%, of burglaries happen during the day,” said Sword. He also noted that burglaries usually increase during this time of year. “We really need neighbors to step up,” he added. “If a car doesn’t look right, write down the license plate number. If something does happen, you can call in the information.” Neighbors are strongly encouraged to keep an eye out for each other.
In addition to being a good neighbor, Sword encourages residents to take any steps necessary to protect themselves and their property. There are many things residents can do to increase their safety. A walk around the house is a good start to spot any vulnerable areas. Here are some tips:
• Make sure doors have strong deadbolt locks.
• Make sure all man doors are locked.
• Place a metal bar or broom handle in the inside floor track of sliding doors.
• Make sure all windows are securely locked.
• Keep shrubs trimmed to eliminate hiding spots.
• Store expensive items like grills, cars, and bikes in the garage.
• Always lock your car and park in a well-lit area.
• Keep your yard free of tools and ladders.
• Ensure your house is well lit. Motion sensor lighting helps light dark areas.
• Consider installing an alarm system.
• Always make your house appear occupied. Using timers on interior lights can be helpful. Leave on a television or radio.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer