Thieves target high-end houses in Sunfish Lake

SUNFISH LAKE, Minn. — After a string of brazen burglaries, many residents remain on edge and on alert. 
High-tech thieves are targeting high-end homes, including those of professional athletes.
“I hate to say it but I think the community is on edge” John Johannson, a Sunfish Lake resident, said. 
Johannson is a former NHL player and Wisconsin standout who became one of four recent targets.
Coming home to a second-floor broken window and busted safe, with his valuables gone.
“It’s in Kansas City, it’s in Milwaukee, it’s everywhere. It’s with athletes, it’s on the west side of town, east side of town” Johannson said. “They’ve been breaking glass on second levels, getting on the roof.”
In Kansas City, Super Bowl champs Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were hit. In Milwaukee, NBA player Bobby Portis posted this video of thieves at his home.
In Sunfish Lake, former Vikings defensive lineman Linval Joseph is among the victims.
“We’re looking at cases across the metropolitan area and across the county to determine whether or not the time frames match up,” West St. Paul Police Chief Brian Sturgeon said.
According to West St. Paul police, who cover the area, there is a common theme within the break-ins.
“The big thing is, is they know when the residences aren’t occupied,” Sturgeon said.
In September, WCCO reported on 12 different law enforcement agencies working together to investigate more than 60 similar burglaries in high-end neighborhoods.
“We kind of have a full-court press on investigating this,” Sturgeon said.
The mayor of Sunfish Lake stated in a recent Security Alert:
Johannson has one piece of advice for his neighbors.
“You think you’ve got a safe, I’d caution everybody… do you need what’s in there? Cause look what they can do to it,” he said.