El Dorado County Sheriff's Office

(PLACERVILLE, CALIFORNIA) July 8, 2022 — With the housing market being very active within El Dorado County, the Sheriff’s Office has received numerous reports of thefts that have occurred during open house events. The investigation is currently ongoing, and no suspects have been identified.

Here are some tips to help keep you and your property safe:

• When hosting an open house, remember to store all your valuables somewhere safe, and out of view.
• Do not leave things like purses, wallets, phones, keys, bank statements, documents containing personal information, or prescription medications in plain view, or somewhere where they would be accessed easily.
• Things like safes and lock boxes should be locked or otherwise secured. Computers or other electronic devices should be turned off or passcode protected.
• Try to avoid having any family photos or artwork visible that contains names and identities of your family.
• If you do not wish for a room to be accessed, lock it, or post a sign on the door denying access. You can also ask your realtor to relay what rooms are available for viewing, and what rooms are not.
• Insist on strict entry conditions. Talk to your realtor and request a limited number of guests being allowed inside at one time.
• Leave the main entrance as the only point of entry and exit. This will ensure that nobody is utilizing a back door or side gate as an exit.
• Utilize security cameras to capture people coming and going. You can also set up cameras inside your residence. If you don’t have cameras, you can simply place a sign on the front door that says, “cameras recording inside and outside the residence.” This will greatly discourage thieves from entering your home.
• Take note of guests who use large handbags or tote style purses. In some incidents we have reason to believe that the suspects operate in a two-party system utilizing one party to distract the realtor or homeowner while the other remains in the residence placing items in their bag.
• When the showing is over, perform a walkthrough of your entire residence checking for missing items, left items, or anything that seems out of place.

If you believe you have been a victim of this type of incidents, please contact EDSO Dispatch at 530-621-6600