McClatchy Washington Bureau

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A month ago, Wichita police warned about a troubling increase in home burglaries. Since then, the rate has climbed more. Police have recorded 2,839 residential burglaries this year through the end of November — a 10.2 percent increase over the same period last year, said Lt. Barry VonFange, who supervises burglary investigations.

Of the 2,839 burglaries at people's homes in the year's first 11 months, 384 — or 13.5 percent — occurred while residents were home.

Especially troubling is a recent spate of crimes that occurred as people slept in their homes.

The burglars had to have known that someone was home — there were cars in garages and driveways, and purses visible in the homes. The criminals came in anyway — a brazen, potentially dangerous risk that burglars rarely take, experts say.

Read the complete story at kansas.com