String Of MA Burglaries Target Indian Homeowners, Use 2nd Floor: Police

WAYLAND, MA — Local police are warning residents to be on guard due to a series of burglaries in the area that have similar characteristics.

Recent burglaries in towns including Sudbury, Weston, Lincoln, Natick and Wellesley have targeted homeowners of either Indian or south Asian descent, according to police. The burglars have also commonly entered homes through the second-floor of homes. The thieves appear to be searching for jewelry, police have said.

"A disturbing trend in these residential house breaks is that a majority of homeowners were of Indian descent. Residential house breaks are infrequent in Wayland, but regionally there is an increase exhibiting similar patterns," Wayland police said in a community notification.

No break-ins matching this pattern have been seen in Wayland, but local police are asking residents to take measures to prevent them — including locking second-floor windows, being conspicuous about vacation plans and installing alarm systems.

Other similar burglaries have also been seen in Billerica, Easton and North Attleborough, according to CBS Boston. Local police are coordinating with the FBI, the station reported.

Related: Two Sudbury Home Burglaries Target South Asian, Indian Residents