People in Pueblo taking extra steps to protect homes after recent home invasion

Pueblo police say it’s a crime of opportunity.

A man forced his way into a home wielding a knife and robbed and stole from an 86- year-old man Tuesday afternoon. That was the latest home invasion, according to Pueblo police.

This happened on the 100 block of Amherst Ave. on Pueblo’s south side.

JoLyn Smith’s father lives in the neighborhood where that home invasion happened. She said she wants to make sure he isn’t the next victim.

“It’s really frightening because it seems like they are getting more and bolder, coming in the daylight hours and knocking on the door,” she said.

Smith is protecting her father by putting in a security system.

Pueblo police said a system is good, but other ways to prevent a home invasion are getting a peephole in a door, installing a screen or security door and creating barriers to prevent uninvited guests from entering.

Officers said home invasion is classified as first-degree burglary. The number of first-degree burglaries went down to 33 in 2015 compared to 43 in 2014.

Even though there was a dip in the number, Smith said that’s not going to stop her from putting in more security tools to protect her father.

Police are still looking for the home invasion suspect. If you have any information, you’re asked to call Pueblo Crime Stoppers at 542-STOP.

A crime-prevention seminar will also happen on April 2 at Pueblo Community College.