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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO (KTVI) – It looks like some busy burglars are moving their operation west, from Richmond Heights to communities in West County.

Ladue Police arrested a man this morning in the backyard of a home.  The resident said when she didn’t answer the doorbell the man appeared in the backyard.  The chief said he had tools used in burglaries and he has a criminal record for break-ins.  That’s the fourth incident Ladue police have been investigating in recent weeks.

Creve Coeur Police are stepping up patrols, releasing video and working with a number of agencies to catch the thieves. There are several distinctive clues that could lead to their arrests.

They have home surveillance video of one suspect walking to the front door of a home. If no one answers, police say he and at least one other man break in the back door pull up a U-Haul truck and start loading it up. Lt. Henry Francis works for the Creve Coeur Police.  Francis said, “They made away with a 60 inch television, numerous computers and a lot of jewelry.”

$20,000 worth of possessions was stolen from one home alone on Prince Town Drive. Police think they are pros. Francis added, “The house was ransacked but they did leave the costume jewelry it looks like these guys have done this in the past they know exactly what they are looking for.”

Neighbors on the street are making sure they keep an eye on each other.  Judy Wasserman is a resident.  She said, “You don’t like to hear that it happens you just have to be more careful. It’s unfortunate it really is.”

Police in Frontenac have two similar cases where the suspects used a U-Haul truck. And detectives in Chesterfield are also working a burglary that matches.

Just last week Richmond Heights reported that three men were responsible for seven home burglaries in which a man  knocked on the door and if no one answered he and his is accomplices would rob the home.

Officers want people to take note of the U-Haul and the letterman’s jacket one suspect is wearing. Lt. Francis said “We’re really relying on the public’s help to at least get us a license plate or call us with suspicious activity so we can get in there area.”

Police don’t know if all the crimes are related.