Most homeowners in Colorado would love to butt-up against open space and trails. That said, suspects involved in a recent string of high-value burglaries that have taken place in the Denver metro area seem to be targeting homes of this nature, with nine seemingly-linked cases involving close to $1 million of stolen goods.

According to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, at least nine burglaries have taken place at local luxury homes between February 2 and October 18 of this year. The burglaries have taken place during dinnertime and have involved homes that back up to areas described as “open space, green belts, canals, trails, golf courses, or heavy tree cover.”

The Sheriff’s Office noted that these burglaries are believed to be part of a crime pattern that’s been observed nationwide involving multiple South American theft groups.

The majority of the burglaries have taken place on Friday between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. while homeowners were not home. Two to four suspects have been seen working together via security footage, wearing masks, hoodies, and gloves, sometimes with a backpack.

Other trends in the cases involve suspects smashing an exterior glass door and then going through closets, dressers, and bathrooms, reportedly stealing high-value items like jewelry, designer purses, cash, and safes.

Making the situation even more disturbing is that one of the burglaries was interrupted by a homeowner who was home at the time of the break-in. There was no mention of this homeowner being harmed in the most recent press release on the matter.

So far, four burglaries have been reported in Cherry Hills Village, one in Columbine Valley, two in Littleton, and two in unincorporated Arapahoe County.

Authorities made a link between these local crimes and burglaries that have been taking place in Arizona and California, in which suspects surveil victims either electronically or visually before using some sort of jammer to disrupt home security and alarm systems. It is unclear if Colorado suspects are partaking in surveillance and alarm system jamming at this time.

Investigators involved in the Colorado cases noted that stolen goods in the nine local cases of theft have totaled nearly $1 million.

Anyone with information in this case has been asked to call 303-795-4711 or 911 if a case of theft is witnessed in-person. Anonymous callers can also make reports to CrimeStoppers at 720-913-7867.

Authorities also provided locals with tips for preventing break-ins, including locking doors, closing windows, and setting alarms. Motion sensor lights and security cameras can also be deterrents. Utilizing shatter-proof window tinting on doors and windows can also be helpful.

“Be suspicious of people loitering around your house,” said the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. “If something looks suspicious, trust your instincts and call police.”