They kicked in T he door and ran.

Michael O’Mara had been thinking about making some changes to his home’s entrance. He never planned to do it this way, however.

While he was away from his home on Aug. 14, witnesses saw two men kick in his front door, splintering wood that littered the interior of his home and causing the

The Victim: Michael O’Mara

The Crime: Criminal mischief

Date: Tuesday, Aug. 14

Time: 10:09 a.m.

Location: 1300 block of Barlow home’s alarm and siren to go crazy. Security cameras also captured the two men as they briefly entered the home and then fled. Police were there within four minutes, O’Mara says, which was comforting, yet the crime was still frustrating.

“I got robbed last year. I think these were the same guys,” he says. “Last time they cleaned me out. This time they didn’t get anything.”

From the video, O’Mara estimates that the crooks were in his home only seven seconds, and credits his security system for causing them to flee and saving the day. Despite the nuisance of having to replace the front door, O’Mara tries to stay positive about the splintery situation.

“I was thinking of replacing the door anyway — they just beat me to it.”

Lt. Barbara L. Hobbs of the Southwest Patrol Division says alarms can be an effective tool to help deter criminals from a residence or business, as in this case. Audible alarms draw attention to a location and help to increase the possibility of witnesses to an offense or additional people calling 911 to report the incident.

“Surveillance video from good quality cameras can also assist law enforcement with identification of suspects or suspect vehicles. It can also be a valuable tool during the prosecution of suspects that are identified and apprehended,” she says. “The criminal element prefers to remain anonymous while committing crimes. Alarms and quality video surveillance removes that anonymity and may decrease the possibility of crimes occurring.”

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crime numbers |

6:25 09.06 $2,000

Value of the Smart Start Breathalyzer stolen from a 2012 Kia on the 3000 block of South Tyler Aug. 16; two pairs of shoes valued at $60 also were stolen

Date when a man called the West Jefferson CVS and told the pharmacist if his “buddy’s” medication wasn’t ready soon, he was going to rob the pharmacy; the man later called back and apologized p.m., Time of day on Sept. 8 when a woman returned to her Toyota in a parking lot on the 600 block of Illinois to find out that suspects tried to saw off her muffler with an electric saw, but jumped in their vehicle and sped off when witnesses confronted them

Source: Dallas Police Department