Bloomington Police say they have responded to three burglaries in recent weeks that have targeted small business owners of Asian descent in Bloomington-Normal.
All of the reported burglaries were on the city’s east side between Veterans Parkway and Towanda Barnes Road and between G.E. Road and Empire Street. The homes were unoccupied in each instance, said police.
Police said a group of Hispanic males, between 30 and 40 years of age, are suspects in these cases, but did not specify how many may have been been involved or provide additional details.
Police did not say what items were taken from the residences.
Bloomington Police issued several tips to limit the risk of a home burglary: remain aware of your surroundings; pay attention when traveling and make sure you are not being followed; call police if you see a suspicious vehicle in your neighborhood or near your business, use home alarms and video surveillance for your home or business; make your residence appears as if someone is home; do not post travel plans on social media; and have a trusted neighbor keep an eye on your residence when you are away.
Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to contact detective Pedro Diaz at pdiaz@cityblm.org or (309) 434-2532. Tips can also be submitted anonymously with the department’s Crime and Intelligence Analysis Unit at (309) 434-2963, via text to 847411 by using the word BPDTIPS, or via email at ciau@cityblm.org.
