Rash of burglaries reported overnight in Newton

Newton police are investigating after 10 burglaries were reported overnight Friday, according to the Newton Police Department.

The community has had problems with a serial burglar in recent months, but police say these burglaries are not suspected to have been committed by that man.

“This is a spree crime, not a serial crime,” said Newton police Lt. Bryan Hall. “We are 100 percent sure this is not the serial burglar.”

The crimes were reported around the intersection of 8th and Logan, in east Newton.

As of 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 burglaries had been reported, though the department had been taking reports throughout the afternoon, Hall said.

Surveillance footage from a house in the neighborhood captured images of two men, but Hall said police think they met up with a larger group of people to perpetrate the crimes.

Hall said the two were seen “scoping out” the neighborhood around 9:30 p.m. Friday and the crimes were committed around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.

Most of the burglaries were to detached garage structures, though at least one was attached to a home with residents sleeping inside, Hall said.

A car had also been stolen, but it has since been recovered, according to the department.

Witnesses reported seeing a silver/gold Dodge truck and a two-door passenger car, according to the post.

“We have great, great help from the community,” Hall said. “We’ve got a really good lead on the identity of the individuals involved.”

If anyone can identify the men involved, they are asked to message the “Newton KS Police Department” Facebook page or submit a tip to the department online. You can also text a tip by texting NEWTONPD and your tip to 847411.

This story was originally published February 6, 2016 at 3:34 PM with the headline "Rash of burglaries reported overnight in Newton."