Cops!! We would be better off without them. Sure they catch lots of pot smokers but they can't catch real criminals like this rock burglar Original Article Rock Burglar on long hiatus But residents urged to take care over holidays Michael Ferraresi The Arizona Republic Nov. 24, 2005 12:00 AM NORTHEAST VALLEY - Twelve years and 337 burglaries later the most notorious thief in the Northeast Valley - the Rock Burglar - is still eluding police. Despite the 12-year hunt, police are not sure how or when the Rock Burglar is casing luxury homes, or when the unidentified burglar or burglars will strike again. The Rock Burglar's erratic patterns have long stumped investigators, who have tried to anticipate the window-smashing heists that have netted the culprit more than $10 million, mostly in stolen jewelry and cash. Scottsdale police Detective Sgt. Eric Rasmussen said the Rock Burglar is no more active during the holidays than any other time, though homeowners leaving town for Thanksgiving or Christmas are urged to take extra precautions to safeguard their properties. The Rock Burglar primarily targets residents of affluent neighborhoods in Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and Carefree for expensive jewelry. "If you meet those criteria, you should be a little more alert coming home at night," said Rasmussen, who oversees Scottsdale's burglary unit. "If you hear glass break in your neighborhood you might think about calling police to take a look," he said. Since January 2003, the Rock Burglar has hit 41 homes in Scottsdale, as many as 10 near Carefree, and two in Paradise Valley, police said. The most recent incident in Scottsdale was March 12, on 124th Street south of Shea Boulevard. Paradise Valley was hit the hardest by the Rock Burglar from 1993 to 2002, but investigators said the suspect's focus has seemingly shifted to Scottsdale. The Rock Burglar has struck every month of the year, and does not seem to follow any specific patterns. Investigators describe the suspect as organized, dedicated and meticulous about the robberies. "One of the things that has made this person, or this group of people, successful is the randomness of their acts," said Paradise Valley police Lt. Alan Laitsch, a member of the Rock Burglar task force. "They've gone several months without committing a burglary," he said. "It makes it difficult for law enforcement to do things like surveillance and stakeouts." Donna Cleinman said her Paradise Valley home was robbed by the Rock Burglar in 2002 after she and her husband made last-minute plans for the Fourth of July weekend, and did not suspend their newspaper deliveries. Police recommend that homeowners take the time to get neighbors or friends to help keep their homes clear of any signs that point to them being out of town, such as piles of newspapers, mail or packages. The Rock Burglar entered Cleinman's house by smashing a bathroom window with a patio chair that was put exactly back in place. Other than glass in the bathtub, and her missing jewelry, she said she would not have known she was robbed. "It's almost like they're respectful of your property," Cleinman said. "For the most part, there were a couple of doors ajar," she said. "But if nothing had been broken, you might have to really look to see if something was taken or disrupted." Reach the reporter at michael.ferraresi@scottsdale republic.com or (602) 444-6843.