By Kathryn Reed

Using reverse 911 for the first time has brought in an array of leads, and not just about the burglaries in the North Upper Truckee area of El Dorado County.

The phone system was used last week and no thefts have been reported this week. The tips are being called “promising”.

Small items that can be carried from a home like jewelry have been taken, while the bigger items like flat screen televisions and computers have been left behind. El Dorado County sheriff’s Lt. Les Lovell believes this is because the culprits are on foot.

“These houses are clearly being cased. One particular person was gone for three hours and it occurred,” Lovell said. “These people are watching what’s going on.”

The suspects are a higher threat level to deputies and anyone who might walk in on them because it is considered more brazen to engage in this type of burglary than breaking into a house where people are gone for a long time, Lovell said. All of the crimes have happened during the day.

“I’m hopeful we’ll have some good news in the next few days and we may be able to recover some property,” Lovell said.

The items have not turned up at local pawnshops.

A reward of $500 has been offered for anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest. Secret Witness may be reached at (530) 541.6800.