LAKE ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Police in Lake St. Louis are investigating three separate burglaries over the weekend at the same apartment complex off Interstate 64.

Investigators say a burglar broke into the apartments while the victims were asleep inside.

“It was midnight hours, between midnight and 4 a.m., we had three burglaries in one of our apartment complexes, and all three came in through a sliding glass door that was unsecured,” Chief Chris DiGiuseppi, Lake St. Louis Police Department, said.

DiGiuseppi said it is alarming because people were inside sleeping during the burglaries.

“We want people to be vigilante, we certainly don’t want people coming into people’s homes, especially when it is occupied,” he said. “We don’t want them coming in their homes at all, but especially when it is occupied, it just adds to that increased element of danger.”

The chief said the victims are missing purses, wallets, credit cards, and even car keys. The burglaries highlight the importance of keeping sliding doors secure, he said.

“I know it is easy to just flip the lock. We have seen where people can pop those, that didn’t happen in this case. They’re just looking for things that are unsecure. But it is just a lot safer if you do put a bar in,” DiGiuseppi said.