Reported by: Sarah Buduson Email: sbuduson@myeyewitnessnews.com Last Update: 2/22 7:18 am
This empty box used to hold an MLGW power meter. That is until a crook stole the meter from a foreclosed home, according to a realtor. Memphis, TN - Eyewitness News Everywhere uncovers burglars breaking into foreclosed homes. Several area real estate agents and mortgage brokers says burglars target the newly vacant homes. They say the thieves steal copper from inside the sheet rock, air conditioning units, light fixtures, appliances, and anything else that can be removed and sold on the streets for cash.
Shelby County Sheriff's department spokesperson Steve Shular says deputies have noticed an increase in burglaries at vacant homes in Shelby County. However, deputies have not tied the increase in burglaries to the increase in foreclosures.
Mortgage broker Mark Littrell buys and renovates foreclosed homes. He says nearly every home he buys gets broken into, vandalized, and burglarized. He says, “It's very frustrating. Thinking some kid comes in there and steals or some adult comes in and steals.”
At one of his homes in Hickory Hill, someone broke in and took the dishwasher from the kitchen. The MLGW meter outside the house was also stolen. He says if it’s not nailed down, burglars will steal it. He says, “You will see them steal appliances, light fixtures, carpet. We've actually had them taking up the carpet in some of our houses.”
He says there were more break-ins during the end of 2007, when foreclosures were forcing more Memphians out of their homes. He says, “With more foreclosures, you have more opportunities, so as you have more vacant houses, then yes, it's gonna happen more.” Littrell has found ways to protect the renovations in his homes. For example, he says, “On a light fixture, you don't put the globes on the light fixture, when you hang the fixture, if you hang the fixture, it cost the thief more to go out and buy the globes to complete the fixture then it's worth to steal. He's still working on keeping crooks out.”
Burglars aren't just targeting foreclosed homes. Any empty house for sale is a target. Memphis police recently arrested a man who was accused of breaking into more than 50 homes after stealing keys from a realtor’s lockbox. Robert Carson was arrested February 4th.
Home foreclosures are up around the U.S. Memphis is the one of the cities that has been the hardest hit. The Memphis metro area had the 13th highest foreclosure rate during 2007. More than 20,000 people filed for foreclosure during that time. Detroit, Michigan has the highest foreclosure rate in the U.S.
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