Petaluma Police Officers at the scene of a burglary at 508 Ely Blvd. South Monday afternoon January 13, 2014. Petaluma Police responded to the burglary in progress call with 8 patrol cars, one truck, and a canine unit.

Home break-in spree in east Petaluma

Four residential burglaries were reported in Petaluma during a 27-hour span, and police are looking for information.

"The four we've seen in the past day is the most forced entries we've ever had in such a short period of time," Petaluma Lt. Tim Lyons said.

The first break-in was reported when a resident returned home around 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 13 and noticed the front door had been forced open. The resident spotted the suspect in the back yard carrying an armload of stolen items. When the suspect saw the resident, he bolted to his vehicle, a black sedan, and headed south on Ely Boulevard.

The suspect was described as a black man, approximately 20 years old, 5-foot, 9-inches tall and 170 pounds. He had short black hair, was clean-shaven and wore a black t-shirt and jeans.

About an hour later, Petaluma police were called to another home in the 800 block of Crinella Drive. The resident said a suspect broke in through a side door some time between 12:30 and 4:30 p.m., when the home was unoccupied. No suspect or vehicle was seen in that case.

The next day, police responded to a report of a home break-in that occurred in the 1600 block of Lauren Drive. The resident left home about 2 p.m., only to return 30 minutes later to find the front door kicked open, the home ransacked and an iPad and jewelry stolen. No suspect was identified.

Several hours later, at about 5 p.m. on Tuesday, police responded to the 2000 block of Caufield Lane when a resident returned home to find their front door kicked in and their house in disarray.

Lyons said the department has responded to seven residential burglary reports since Jan. 1.

Investigators are still trying to decipher whether the incidents are connected.

Anyone will information on this case is asked to call the Petaluma Police Department at 778-4372.

(Contact Janelle Wetz stein at janelle.wetzstein@arguscourier.com)

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