Burglaries and break-ins are a regular component of city living and summer often marks an annual peak in this category of criminal activity as thieves find more homes than usual empty and ripe for picking. Our crime coverage this month touched on a few business break-ins but there were also about two dozen residential break-ins in August. Here’s a selection of recent activity:

Tobacco theft: A man living on the 1500 block of Belmont Avenue reported August 11th that a one pound bag of tobacco was stolen from his room, which he left unlocked when he left to use community space in the residence. He had already contacted the building manager about the burglary but there was no video evidence of anyone entering the man’s room.

Wallet theft: Nearly $400 and a leather wallet was stolen from an apartment on the 1700 block of Summit Avenue August 18th. The victim had left his apartment unlocked and returned shortly after leaving to find some of his belongings had been scattered across a table, a bag had been opened. Only his wallet and the cash appeared to be missing.

Computer theft: A woman returned home to her apartment on 300 block of East Olive Way the at one in the morning August 16th when she realized her desktop computer was missing. The screen of her kitchen window was left ajar and the screen was cut. A polo shirt was found on the couch, which the victim said was not hers. The shirt was dirty with small blood stains.

Jewelry theft: A woman and her husband returned from a five day out of town trip August 9th to find some of her jewelry missing. The victim reported she had let a friend stay at the home on the 500 block of 19th Avenue East and the friend had invited her niece and niece’s boyfriend over for dinner one night. Housekeepers also entered the residence during the couple’s absence. The victim was not sure which party might have taken the items.

Forced entry: On August 10th between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., the door to a residence on the 1400 block of East John Street had been forced open. The door was intact but SPD estimated the frame had sustained $400 in damage. A Dell laptop, $20 in change and camera were stolen. The victim said he suspected a person who had previously entered his home who had claimed he lived there might have been the burglar.

Theft from vacant home: A contractor working on the remodel of a foreclosed home reported that a water heater was stolen from the property near 400 Summit Avenue. He also reported items were left behind and a sliding door was left ajar on August 11th.

Garage burglary: A man reported his detached garage was broken into August 6th, The garage door was slightly open and lifted slightly off its tracks and two mountain bikes, tools and several fishing poles were missing. SPD said there were possibly multiple suspects because of the number of items stolen.

Attempted silver theft: The victim noticed a light was on in his detached garage the night of August 17th and went to investigate. A man was standing in his garage, rummaging through a box of antique silverware. The suspect said, “You scared the shit out of me,” and then left the garage. Nothing appeared to have been stolen.

Home burglary: A home on 33rd Avenue was burglarized August 8th. The victim returned home to find three laptops and two iPods had been stolen. The responding officer could find no evidence of forced entry.

Burglary through basement window: A basement window from a home on the 2700 block of 11th Avenue was pried open and a suspect stole an iPad, among other items. The responding officer was able to take prints from the scene.