A Long Island woman came face-to-face with burglars inside her home after a garage alarm alerted her to movement downstairs, police said.
The burglary happened around 3:49 a.m. Monday at a home on Melby Lane in East Hills, according to ABC7NY.
The 38-year-old woman was inside the home on the second floor when she received an alert from a garage alarm leading to the main floor. When she went downstairs, she found two unknown men standing in her kitchen.
The break-in started outside, moved through the driveway, and reached the main living space before the homeowner confronted anyone. That path is why a parked car, garage door, and interior entry door all belong in the same home-security routine.
The Suspects Ran Out the Back Door
Police said the woman screamed for help after seeing the intruders. The suspects ran out through the rear kitchen door and left in a vehicle in an unknown direction.
No injuries were reported. Investigators said approximately $1,000 in cash was taken from the home.
Police Say the Burglary Started in the Driveway
News 12 reported that Nassau County police are searching for three suspects. Investigators said the suspects first walked up the victim’s driveway and rummaged through a vehicle parked outside before at least two of them entered the home.
One East Hills resident told News 12 the incident was scary and raised concerns about family and belongings in the neighborhood.
The Alarm Gave Her a Warning
The garage alarm did not stop the suspects from entering the house, but it told the homeowner something was wrong before they moved farther through the home.
ABC7NY reported that Nassau County police advised homeowners to install deadbolts, remove garage door openers from cars parked in the driveway, and ask a trusted neighbor to bring in trash cans and newspapers when traveling.
East Hills Mayor Michael Koblenz also urged residents not to leave valuables visible inside parked vehicles, especially items such as purses on front seats.
Garages Can Be a Direct Route Into the House
Attached garages deserve the same attention as front doors. The door between the garage and the house should be locked, cars should be cleared of visible valuables, and garage openers should not be left where someone can grab them from a driveway vehicle.
The East Hills case is a good reason to treat the driveway, garage, and interior garage door as one connected entry path. Before the night ends, homeowners should make sure parked cars are locked, visible valuables are removed, the garage is closed, and alarms or cameras are covering the places someone would reach first