Mpls. reports increase in north side burglaries after storm

Minneapolis police officials say there's been an increase in reports of burglaries in the areas hardest hit by Sunday's tornado.

The department's Fourth Precinct, which covers all of the city's north side, issued an email advisory describing two types of reported crimes. Police say in some cases burglars are kicking in doors of damaged homes.

Police spokesman Sgt. Stephen McCarty said there are also reports of burglars pulling trucks up next to homes and loading them with stolen property.

"A lot of them are still under investigation to determine if they are actually, in deed, true burglaries, McCarty said. "As opposed to residents or people trying to — I don't want to say scam insurance companies — but falsifying information."

McCarty said officers have increased the amount of neighborhood patrols since the storm.