Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with a series of thefts at open houses in Kent County, Ohio. Real estate professionals in the area have been reporting a range of stolen items during open houses in the area since October, items ranging from stolen electronics to prescription drugs. During the first reported theft on Oct. 29, the real estate agent reported that a Wii game, a bottle of Vicodin, and a men’s watch were all taken from a home during an open house. The recent thefts sparked the Grand Rapids Association of REALTORS® to issue a warning to its real estate members to be careful when holding open houses and urge clients to lock up all valuables, particularly prescription medication, loose cash, electronics, and jewelry. In most of the thefts, the agents reported that one man would talk to the agent as a distraction while another man went around the home placing things in his pocket, police say. “With the colder weather, people wear heavy overcoats and can put items in them,” says Sarah Williams, spokesperson for the Grand Rapids Association of REALTORS®. “That makes it easier to steal things.” Police were able to recover the stolen property. The two suspects, while in custody, have acknowledged taking part in other crimes as well as business burglaries in the area, police say. Source: “Police: Suspects in Kent County Open House Thefts Arrested, Property Recovered,” The Grand Rapids Press (Dec. 2, 2011)
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