The Crime: The Bismarck Police Department is asking for help from anyone who might have information about a residential burglary. The incident occurred on Tuesday October 8th sometime between 1:00pm and 9:00pm. The victim reported that someone had gained entry to the apartment through the patio door. The suspect was able to climb onto some lawn furniture and then pull themself onto the patio. The main patio door was open and the subject gained entry by forcing the locked screen door open. The victim did not notice anything out of place and no items reported stolen.

If you have information: If you have information on this crime, please call the Bismarck Police Department at 223-1212. Tell the operator you have information about case number 13-019121. To report information anonymously on this crime or any other crime, call Crime Stoppers at 224-TIPS (224-8477). This is the third burglary that has occurred at this building within the past month. In September officers responded to a burglary involving an unlocked patio door and another burglary involving an unlocked front door.

Prevention:
• As this case illustrates, you can’t rely on a locked screen door to keep out a burglar. Nor can you afford to leave your apartment secured with only the patio screen door just because your apartment isn’t on the ground floor. You need to keep your patio doors locked even if you are on the second floor or higher.
• To help prevent burglaries, keep your doors locked at all times. This will serve to protect you from unwanted intrusions whether you are home or not. It only takes a few seconds for someone to enter an unlocked apartment and steal your purse or other valuables. Keep your windows secured as well. If opened slightly for air, make sure the window is secured so as not to open further. This is especially true for ground floor apartments.
• Get to know the other residents in your apartment building. Neighborhood Crime Watch encourages this activity, which helps to reduce crime in that area.
• Do not invite strangers to your apartment right after you meet them. Do not let anyone into your apartment who you are not expecting or have not identified. If you live in a security building, verify who is at the door. Don’t just “buzz” them through into the building. You compromise everyone’s safety by not verifying identity.
• Report any suspicious or criminal behavior immediately to the Police Department. If you are reporting a crime in progress or other emergency, use 9-1-1. For all other activity or to make a report, call 223-1212.