The Mount Pleasant Police Department is investigating a series of breaking-and-enterings that took place the past few weeks.

Since Oct. 18, a total of 11 burglary-related cases in several houses and apartments around town have been reported by the department, seven of which occurred from Oct. 18 to Oct. 26 alone, according to an MPPD press log.

Central Michigan University Police Chief Bill Yeagley said the break-ins are not nearly as common on campus.

“There are very few on campus,” he said. “We have had several larcenies in the dorms, but they involve unlocked doors.”

The breaking-and-enterings are similar to the numerous vehicle larcenies that were reported recently, he said. Both go in streaks and all signs indicate they are being committed by the same person or people.

Yeagley said most of the time, the crimes can be prevented by simply making sure doors are locked. To reduce the odds of a forced-entry burglary, several measures can be taken.

“Lighting is key — the more secure the lock, the better,” he said. “These deter the people from breaking into your place.”

Several security cameras are placed throughout each of the residence halls. The cameras do not point into each individual room, but they can be used to catch suspicious activity in the hallways, so the suspect can later be tracked down, Yeagley said.

“The cameras are really helpful, but it does not guarantee anything,” he said.

E-mail the author: Jake Bolitho