Pueblo Seeing Spike In Burglaries

Pueblo Police are going for the gold, stolen gold jewelry that is. They said there?s been a big rise in burglaries and the thieves are targeting all that glitters.

The burglaries are happening throughout all Pueblo. Police said its because the cost of gold has gone up, and it?s about $1,600 an ounce.

It?s glitzy, glamorous and exactly what crooks are looking for. Once the gold is taken from your home it can often end up in pawn shops.

?Anytime you see the gold go up your going to see more people coming in trying to get rid of it,? said Rosalyn Delafuente, Top Dollar Pawn owner.

More people are trying to steal it, said Sgt. Mark Duran.

?The items being stolen tend to be more jewelry that what we use to see of electronic equipments,? said Duran.

However, top dollar gold owners don?t agree.

?I disagree with that a little bit. I think the rise in burglaries is because people are out of work,? said Mischa Jargowsky, Top Dollar Pawn.

She said the gold market is too inconsistent.

?You never know from one day to next if its going to be up or down,? said Delafuente.

While the reasons may be up for debate, the fact remains, it?s happening more now than before.

Police said only some stolen jewelry ends up in pawn shops.

?We recover a small portion through pawn shops. It’s a very small percent,? said Duran.

Pawn shop owners have to keep a detailed record of everything they buy, information they share with police. The thieves aren?t easy to find.

?One of the problems we face is, we don’t have any witness when they were making these reports,? said Duran.

Police said you can prevent being a victim. They suggest writing down the serial number of all your electronics, taking picture of your jewelry and keeping your doors locked.

Officers tell us thieves can also sell their gold on the streets.