Burglars beware: Breaking into homes in Rochester can be risky business

Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham said would-be criminals should be aware committing these break-ins can backfire. (The Guardian photo)

ROCHESTER - When Rochester Police saw spikes in thefts from motor vehicles and of bicycles earlier this summer they put out warnings to city residents asking them to lock their cars and secure their bicycles in an effort to protect their property.

On Thursday Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham had a warning for criminals trying to break into city residences, saying two incidents in which would-be thieves were either shot at or threatened with guns shows what criminals should have always known: that breaking and entering a private citizen's home in a dangerous enterprise.

The shootings occurred on Monday and Wednesday on D'Amours Avenue and May Street.

The D'Amours incident involved an intruder who was chased off by the homeowner after he was awoken by noise around 3 a.m. The homeowner said he fired his handgun but missed, and the suspect fled the scene. Pinkham said police continue to seek to identify him.

In the May Street incident police say the homeowner arrived at his residence on Wednesday around 2:30 p.m. to find a man trying to break into his home. Upon seeing the homeowner the intruder began to flee but got down on the ground when he saw the homeowner held a handgun. When police arrived they arrested Nicholas Closson, 37, listed as transient, for possession of burglary tools, loitering/prowling and attempted theft by unauthorized taking.

Pinkham said would-be criminals should be aware committing these break-ins can backfire.

"I'd like to address the criminal, themselves," Pinkham said. "They are putting themselves in danger. They should think twice about breaking into someone's car or house."

Pinkham said that in general, police urge the public not to confront criminals as they pursue illegal activity, "but when it occurs on your own property it's a little bit different."

"We don't have a universal policy of engagement if it's on your property," he said. "It's difficult to try and offer advice, there may be kids around; we don't know what the individual circumstances are."

With regard to the homeowners who used handguns this week, Pinkham said neither of them is looking at any charges.