– We had only lived in Askim for a month and a half. The first weekend we went to the cabin after moving in, they broke in. Hilde Øyan was one of the first victims in what has become a wave of burglaries in a residential area in Askim. The small town in Indre Østfold municipality has had 15 burglaries since the beginning of January, all with similar features. Hilde Øyan was one of the first to be hit during the wave of burglaries in Askim. Photo: Stein Ove Korneliussen/news The thieves always follow the same method: When the house is empty, they enter through a window or patio door before looking for valuables in bedrooms and bathrooms. – They took all my jewellery, including the heirloom jewelery from my mother. The things I lost are irreplaceable. It is very sad, says Øyan. Smaalenenes Avis has written several cases about the break-ins. The police: – Not the time to save electricity The police are now patrolling the area, in uniform and civilian. Police Superintendent Christer Christoffersen at Indre Østfold police station says that the thieves have a “professional feel”. – We suspect that the thieves are scouting ahead. We encourage people to be vigilant and follow. And not least be a little generous with your neighbor and react to things that don’t fit in with everyday life. The police patrol the neighborhood both in uniform and in civilian clothes. Photo: Stein Ove Kornliussen/news The police chief says that the thieves often strike at the same time of day. – We have seen that the afternoon is more relevant than other times. When people come home from work and turn on the lights, the houses where the lights are off become more apparent. Now may not be the time to save power in this area. The neighbors help each other So far the last burglary was on Sunday. The neighbors in the exposed area are now doing what they can to help each other in the fight against the thieves. – We talk a lot about it and help each other if someone is going away. Parking cars where no one is at home and things like that. Makes it a little less tempting to break in, says Erling Aagaard. Erling Aagaard says the neighbors in the residential area in Askim help each other to avoid more break-ins. Photo: Stein Ove Kornliussen/news He says there has never been any nonsense in the peaceful neighborhood before. – It doesn’t feel unsafe, but it’s a bit disgusting. We do an extra round in the evening to make sure that everything is locked, and have taken all the precautions that the police urge. Waiting for the next break-in The police say they have concrete clues, but will not comment on what the clues are for the sake of the investigation. – We have technical traces from the crime scenes that have been submitted for investigation. These can be both mobile criminals and local thieves. We keep all possibilities open, says Christoffersen. He emphasizes that there is no indication that these are violent criminals. The police also have no indication that the thieves will break into homes where people are at home. But the police superintendent has little faith that the wave of burglaries is over. – It has been quiet since Sunday, but we are waiting for another breach. This is very special.
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Burglary wave in Askim in Indre Østfold – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
