There was a series of break-ins happening around my neighborhood too, several months back. I haven't heard anything about break-ins recently though. They were happening during the daytime too.
Bad thing is, around here nobody would think twice about 3-4 mexicans pulling up in a truck as long as there was a lawn mower, weed whacker and a leaf blower in the back. They could go into the back yard, break in while running their blower/mower/whacker, toss a bunch of stuff into a canvas bag and leave within 10-15 minutes, go 1 or 2 blocks down and do it again, all day long.
I think I just came up with a business idea. brb, going to Home Depot...