Kettering Police are investigating 15 break-ins that have occurred at vacant homes throughout the city in the past month.

Public Information Officer Ron Roberts said the crimes are similar to almost a dozen reported over the past two weeks in the city of Oakwood, where copper pipes and tubing have been stolen from uninhabited properties and homes that are up for sale.

“The first instances were in the western part of the city and in the vicinity of Tait Road. More recently they have moved toward central Kettering,” he said. “They’re taking place in the daytime and at night.”

No arrests have been made and no suspects have been identified.

Roberts said he has met with coordinators of the city’s Neighborhood Watch groups to reinforce concerns that residents should be alert when people who don’t seem to have any business on a property are seen there, “or if they hear sounds that could be the result of forced entry. They should try to get descriptions of the person and record the license plate number. They should contact us immediately.”