Azusa hit with several burglaries on New Year's Eve

AZUSA, Calif. (KABC) -- Azusa police are investigating a series of burglaries that happened in two homes on New Year's Eve.

Maria Ibarra and her husband got home around 1 a.m., after celebrating New Year's Eve, only to find their home ransacked.

Three shotguns were stolen from their safe and more than $2,000 in cash. A second safe was also removed, which contained expensive jewelry, including her 25th anniversary wedding ring.

"I cry when I see the room and I say, 'What happened?' This never happened to us, why?" Maria Ibarra said.

The couple learned from police that they weren't alone. Two streets away in a cul-de-sac, two more homes had been burglarized. Someone nearly broke into a fourth home nearby.

The crimes happened between 7 p.m. and 1:30 a.m.

"The theory being people were just out celebrating, weren't home, and whoebver was responsible took advantage of that," Azusa Police Sgt. Andy Sutcliffe said.

Police are trying to determine if more than one suspect is involved in the burglaries. In most of the cases, the suspect broke in through the back of the homes.

Ibarra said she's grateful her family wasn't home at the time of the burglary and wishes whomever stole her jewelry knew of its sentimental value.

"I want my things back. It's the only thing I want back," Ibarra said.