Residents in West Manheim Township are being urged to be on the alert after five residential burglaries reported since March 28, police said.

The robberies occurred in the Black Rock, Hobart and Tracey roads areas in the southern end of the township, said Police Chief Tim Hippensteel.

In the latest robbery, the owner of a home under construction in the 100 block of Tracey found a locked door was forced open and a man hiding in the closet around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Police, using tracking dogs, were unable to locate the suspect, who had fled into the woods to the rear of the home.

A home in the 2500 block of Black Rock was burglarized on April 25 and May 2 where a large amount of coins and some jewelry were taken, police said. The burglar entered the home by getting through a locked door.

Coins and currency also were stolen from a home that was broken into on March 28 and March 31 in the 900 block of Hobart, police said. The burglar got in by defeating an ineffective door lock, police said.

The robberies on Black Rock and Hobart occurred during daylight hours -- between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Police have increased patrols and are conducting surveillance in the areas, Hippensteel said. Residents are urged to lock their homes securely and remain vigilant, he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call West Manheim Police at 632-7059.