Neighbors warn of suspicious individuals roaming the neighborhood and knocking on doors for days. Police report a rise in burglaries during the summer season, and a serial burglar from Chile was recently arrested.
A resident of Zagreb's Dubrava neighborhood alerted her neighbors on social media after someone attempted to break into her home during the night. The incident occurred at 3:30 AM, and she attached a photo of the damaged mosquito netting to her post.
"People, beware. Last night at 3:30 AM, they tried to get into my house. We've been seeing strange characters for days, even knocking on doors," wrote the Dubrava resident.
Other residents of this Zagreb neighborhood quickly responded to her warning. In the comments, they shared their own experiences and further urged caution. "They're hitting every street; there have already been two burglaries in the same manner," one wrote.
Another described suspicious behavior from Thursday, August 6: "On Thursday, a man was walking and knocking door to door. He's asking for help. Maybe he's just scouting because it's vacation season. Be careful." Residents are advising each other to install security cameras.
Unofficial reports from citizens align with official police reports. According to data from the Zagreb Police Department, two burglaries were recorded in Saturday's reports alone, on August 8. One of them occurred in the neighboring Maksimir area.
"Between Wednesday, August 5, and Friday, August 7, in Maksimir, an unknown perpetrator broke into a house owned by a 29-year-old and stole money. The material damage amounts to several thousand euros," the Zagreb Police Department announced.
That burglars can come from distant countries was demonstrated by a case on August 5. In a joint operation by the Zagreb Police Department and the Split-Dalmatia Police Department, a 35-year-old Chilean citizen was arrested. He is suspected of a total of five counts of aggravated burglary.
"Through the joint efforts of police officers from the Zagreb Police Department and the Split-Dalmatia Police Department, a criminal investigation was conducted against a 35-year-old Chilean citizen, suspected of committing a total of five counts of aggravated burglary, of which three were committed in the area of the Zagreb Police Department and two in the area of the Split-Dalmatia Police Department," the police statement reads.
The summer months traditionally bring an increase in burglaries in Zagreb, and the police are urging citizens to be extra cautious while on vacation.
