$150,000 worth of jewelry stolen in Cedar Rapids break-in

Jewelry with an estimated value of more than $150,000 was stolen during a daytime burglary in northeast Cedar Rapids, according to a police report.

Officers were called toa home on  Hampshire Drive  NE just before 2 p.m. Thursday when the burglary was discovered. Police said the burglar or burglars broke a window adjacent to the locked front door, reached inside to open it up and proceeded to ransack the residence.

According to the police report, the homeowner returned home around 1:45 p.m. and discovered the burglary. Numerous pieces of gold and silver jewelry were missing, along with a safe, police said.

Police determined the burglary happened between 12:15 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. Thursday. An investigation is continuing.

Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said burglaries have picked up as the weather has turned warmer. She said in several recent burglaries, the suspect rings the doorbell, and if no one answers they try to open the door or go to a back door.

"A lot of times, we're finding out that people aren't locking their doors," Hamblin said.

Hamblin said the estimated value of the jewelry stolen Thursday came from the homeowners and might not be verifiable. She said they would need likely need appraisals or documentation to prove the actual value of the jewelry.

Anyone who may have information about Thursday's burglary or any other crime is asked to call police at (319) 286-5491 or Linn County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CS-CRIME.