Flagstaff, AZ; On Thursday, January 1, 2014 Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 57 year old Douglas Doyle Dillon of Mesa, Arizona in connection with multiple residential burglaries in the Blue Ridge and Forest Lakes communities. Between the months of March through December 2014 over 20 burglaries were reported in or near these communities.
Investigation revealed the burglaries occurred during the winter months when the targeted seasonal homes were unoccupied. Outbuildings such as garages, storage sheds and workshops were the primary target, and the majority of items taken during these burglaries were contractor type tools to include air compressors, power tools, saws, drills, and chainsaws.
While investigating the burglaries in the Forest Lakes area, images of a suspect were retrieved from cameras installed at the victimized residences. The deputy also collected blood samples at one scene where there was broken glass from the forced entry. This evidence was submitted to the Arizona Department of Public Safety Crime Lab for analysis. The crime lab was able to obtain a DNA profile from the blood sample and submitted it to the FBI CODIS system, which houses DNA profiles contributed by federal, state, and local forensic laboratories.
Analysis of the blood sample matched a DNA sample from Douglas Doyle Dillon. Detectives submitted investigative reports to the Coconino County Attorney’s Office for review and charging. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Douglas Doyle Dillon. Although there was a warrant for arrest, Dillon was difficult to locate as Detectives believed he was living transient.
During the month of December several more residential burglaries were reported in Blue Ridge and Forest Lakes, and deputies continued to attempt to locate Douglas Dillon. On January 1, 2015 the community deputy for the Forest Lakes area located Dillon as he was attempting to free his vehicle from a snow bank. Dillon was arrested on the outstanding warrant and was transported to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Detention Facility located in Flagstaff where he currently remains in custody on one count of First Degree Burglary, two counts of Third Degree Burglary and one count of Possession of Stolen Property. Detectives and AZ DPS Crime Lab are continuing this investigation and additional burglary charges are anticipated.
Residential Burglary Prevention Tips
• Make your home look occupied.
• Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other "secret" hiding places -- burglars know where to look for hidden keys.
• Lock all outside doors and windows any time you leave the house, even if you are only leaving for a short time, and before you go to bed.
• Leave lights on when you go out.
o If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
o Have adequate exterior lighting.
• Keep your garage door closed and locked.
o Also lock your garden shed and outbuildings.
o Use curtains on garage and basement windows.
• Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers to build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to pick them up regularly.
• Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
o Push button locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all of your outside doors.
o Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.
o Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen.
o Most windows can be pinned for security.
o Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.
• Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.
• An alarm system can be used for additional security. If your alarm is going off, do not enter - the perpetrator may still be inside.
If Your Home is Broken Into
• Use a neighbor's phone to call police.
• Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
• Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase, original value, and serial numbers. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.
o Keep a copy in a safe place away from home -- this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters as well.
o Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques.
• Mark your valuables with your driver's license number with an engraver you can borrow from your precinct. Marked items are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police to recover.
• Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 9¬1¬1 immediately.
• Form a Neighborhood Watch Group which can help you work with your neighbors to improve security and reduce risk of burglary.
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Contact: Gerry Blair, Coconino County Sheriff's Office 928-226-5089
