Woman arrested on burglary charges as police see more burglaries while homeowners are at home

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION) A woman has been arrested in connection to a burglary at a home in Monterey, and it comes as police report an uptick in the number of burglaries or attempted burglaries that have happened while the homeowner is at home.

Monterey officers responded to a report of a burglary in progress in the 200 block of Dundee Drive early in the morning on Aug. 8. The people living in the home told police that they woke up and found a woman in the home. She ran when they confronted her.

Seconds before the call on Dundee Drive, police responded to a report of a burglary in progress at a home in the 300 block of Hannon Avenue. The people living there said they woke up to find someone in their home. The suspect was described as a slender person who may be male. The person was about 5'8" and wearing dark clothing.

At the time, police did not find either suspect, but later, they identified the suspect in the Dundee Drive burglary as 37-year-old Michelle Bozarth. She was found and arrested on Aug. 10. Police said that when she was arrested, she had drugs and drug paraphernalia. She was booked into the Monterey County Jail on burglary, possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia and obstructing a peace officer charges.

Police said they are investigating to find out if the burglaries are related. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Sgt. Delgado at 831-646-3814 or 831-646-3840 to remain anonmous.

Because police are seeing more burglaries and attempted burglaries happening when homeowners are at home, they are reminding residents to make sure all doors and windows are locked.