Witnesses fail to alert police to residential burglaries in Midwest City

“We are having eyewitnesses see these crimes happen, but no one is calling,” Clabes said. “We are doing our best, but it takes a partnership with the public to help stop this.”

In one case, witnesses watched as two suspects backed a truck into the driveway and ransacked the house for 30 minutes, taking the washer and dryer and even frozen food from the freezer, Clabes said.

“It wasn't until they sped off and the washing machine fell out of the back of the truck that someone called us,” he said.

Call goes out

An automated phone call to 25,000 Midwest City residents went out last week to raise awareness of the recent burglaries and to encourage people to call 911 when they see any suspicious activity.

“We think people hesitate to call 911 because they think it's for emergencies only,” Clabes said. “We want people to call. It could help prevent them from becoming the next victim.”