The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation into a series of home burglaries that occurred late Friday in a Highlands Ranch neighborhood and in Franktown.

In a Wednesday news release, sheriff’s office officials said a number of suspects ransacked three homes in a neighborhood just east of Broadway and East Gateway Drive.

The burglaries took place the same night and appeared to be consistent in nature, according to the sheriff’s office.

In one burglary, a resident of the home walked in on three people inside, sheriff’s officials said.

The sheriff’s office said that two of the homes showed signs of forced entry, adding the suspects may have also used a Wi-Fi jammer to deactivate home cameras. One of the home’s power was off, according to the sheriff’s office.

Douglas County detectives are also looking into a “similar” burglary in Franktown, where a home was broken into through its back door, cameras were deactivated and the house was ransacked.

“While there may be no direct connection between the Highlands Ranch and Franktown burglaries, the similarities are that the suspect(s) knew the homeowners were gone and may have used a device to disable the camera systems,” sheriff’s office officials said.

Officials said the suspects spent enough time in the homes to search closets, drawers, boxes, cabinets and storage areas.

“Catching these burglars is a priority for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, not just for bringing justice to the victims, but for preventing future crimes that could disrupt the lives of more innocent families,” Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said in the news release.

The sheriff’s office asks the community to help identify suspects and offers this advice:

If you see something unusual, take note of key details: descriptions of people (clothing, height, hair color, etc.), vehicle makes/models, and license plates.

Watch for unfamiliar individuals lingering around homes, checking door handles, or acting suspiciously.

Trust your instincts if something doesn’t seem right. Call the sheriff’s office non-emergency number, (303) 660-7500, or 911 if it’s urgent.

“We know there are individuals in the metro area who have crucial information about those responsible for these crimes,” Weekly said. “We urge you to come forward.”

Those with any information can call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 917-STOP (7867). Anyone with information on burglaries in Highlands Ranch or Franktown can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward.