Police investigating several break-ins

SWANSEA, MASS. (WPRI) - A recent increase in home burglaries has police and residents on alert.

Eyewitness News has learned fourteen homes in Swansea have been broken into in the past five weeks.

Area residents tell us, they're angry and on edge.

"Of course, I'm worried.  I have to be worried, I'm a homeowner," said Marie Mello.

According to police, the suspects knocked on doors, looking for empty homes to ransack.

If a resident happens to answer the door, police say the suspects tell the homeowner they're either responding to a classified ad and must have the wrong address, or that they've lost their pet.

Authorities say one woman was arrested after she broke into a home.

In that incident, we're told residents came home and found her hiding under their bed.

Police also say she had a car full of jewelry that has since been links to burglaries in Dartmouth, Hopkinton and Mansfield.

Following her arrest, neighbors told police the woman was seen going door to door.