Police are investigating a series of home burglaries in Sunfish Lake, a small, affluent suburb of Dakota County, that have targeted luxury homes.

Four have been reported since late September, with the most recent being discovered Monday, according to West St. Police Chief Brian Sturgeon. Paul, who provides police services in Sunfish Lake.

The thefts were similar to more than 60 other cases in the metropolitan area and elsewhere at national level that targeted professional athletes. Law enforcement agencies are investigating luxury home burglaries since last November in Eagan, Richfield, Minneapolis, Edina, Minnetonka, Fridley, Medina, Minnetrista and Orono, according to WCCO-TV and KARE-TV. Timberwolves player Mike Conley the Medina home was broken into in September.

In Sunfish Lake, the homes of a professional athlete and people who are well-known in the business community were targeted when the homeowners were not home, according to Sturgeon. “Small, expensive things,” like jewelry and cash, were stolen, he said.

“We know they use some sophisticated techniques to determine” when people leave the house and where exterior cameras are located on the houses, and the burglaries were the work of more than one person, Sturgeon said.

Sturgeon said Monday afternoon that police were still at the scene of the burglary discovered that day and did not have definitive information on which athlete’s home was broken into.

Sunfish Lake Mayor Dan O’Leary wrote on the city’s website Saturday that the third break-in happened Friday night. Police “had K-9s and helicopters as well as 15 officers searching the SFL last night, using powerful searchlights to shine into the woods,” he said.

Police are reminding people to set their security alarms, even if they’re only leaving for a short time, and to call police if they see suspicious activity.

“Until these break-ins can be stopped (and I can assure you that the police, Dakota County… and the FBI are doing everything they can to find the culprits), I am asking everyone to be extra vigilant around your property,” O’Leary. he wrote.

Thefts in Sunfish Lake, with a population of just over 500 and an average home value of nearly $1.2 million, are “extremely unusual,” Sturgeon said.