Thanksgiving break-ins at gated community

Several homeowners returning from Thanksgiving celebrations to their North Hills gated community Thursday found their homes had been burglarized, authorities said.

Nassau County police are investigating two break-ins and one attempt, all sometime before 11 p.m. at The Chatham of North Hills, off the Long Island Expressway's South Service Road.

The burglar or burglars broke open a door or window to the million-dollar homes, in one case stealing cash and jewelry. The other homeowner is still checking to see what, if anything, was stolen, police said.

Meanwhile, the Manhasset-based Sixth Precinct, which covers North Hills, is increasing patrols in the area.

Police detectives are combing through the records to see who entered and left the premises.

"There was a lot of activity there" on Thanksgiving, "people coming in and out," said Det. Michael Bitsko, a police spokesman.

The front entrance to The Chatham, on the service road between Exits 34 and 35, has a guardhouse.

Milton Heid, an import broker, had been relaxing in his Hamptons house when his alarm company called to say there'd been a break-in at his North Hills home. After Heid returned to North Hills, he found that a basement window had been shattered.

"Sure enough the window was knocked out," Heid said. "Thank God nothing was taken."

Chad Gessin, vice president of the development, said the property is secured by walls and greenery, along with a guard in the gatehouse all the time and a backup second one that is staffed about 40 hours a week.

"Unfortunately this is one of those cases of criminals knowing that Thanksgiving is a good holiday to find empty houses," Gessin said.

Luxury town homes at The Chatham have soaring ceiling entrances, oversized stone courtyards and two-story dining rooms with oak staircases. They start at $1.329 million, according to the development website.