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There could be one or multiple man & woman teams who go into neighborhoods knocking on doors, saying that they're selling Kirby vacuums. After casing the neighborhoods, they return a few weeks later and burglarize residences during the day when people aren't home.
Witness descriptions have been inconsistent, leading police to wonder if there are multiple teams performing these burglaries. Witnesses report that the suspects they encountered are not dressed very well, nor clad in a professional sales manner.
There have been many burglaries since early November that fit the same pattern: the suspects force their way in to the basement or a back door, then take jewelry, other small items, electronics, and cash. There were three burglaries in Wichita on Thursday that seem to fit this profile: in the 10000 block of W. Bristlecone Court, the 2400 block of N. Parkdale, and the 700 block of S. Holyoke. In the Bristlecone case, witnesses in the neighborhood did encounter these suspects a few weeks ago, apparently as they were casing the neighborhood.
Kirby at times does have door-to-door salespersons, but they would clearly be identified as Kirby employees, and would have the proper identification. Kirby does not currently have any door-to-door sales going on in the Wichita area.Wichita police are asking anyone who may have encountered suspects like this during the past two months to call their case desk at 268-4221, or burglary detectives at 268-4141.