Cape Girardeau police are seeking the public's help in finding a suspect in a Tuesday morning burglary.

A homeowner in the 2000 block of West Cape Rock Drive told police someone entered their house shortly before 8 a.m. and took an undetermined number of items, said Darin Hickey, public information officer for the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

"It is pretty brazen," Hickey said.

The break-in followed an instance of vandalism at the same property Monday night, when someone kicked in a door, he said.

"They said that the previous night, Monday night, a subject approached the residence just after 10 p.m. and damaged the side door, then fled," Hickey said. The subject "damaged the door to the point where entry could be made," he said.

Police released photographs of the man suspected of damaging the door Monday night and of a man seen in the area around the time of the burglary Tuesday morning.

"We don't know who this guy is," Hickey said of the second man, who was wearing a white shirt and athletic shorts. "He may be able to help us identify who actually broke in."

Hickey said whoever broke into the house concealed his identity.

The burglar may have been armed, Hickey said.

"We believe there's a possibility that a firearm could be involved," he said. "We're investigating that at this point."

He did not elaborate on why police believe the suspect was armed.

Hickey said anyone with information about the men in the photographs, any other possible witnesses or the burglary are urged to call the Cape Girardeau Police Department at 335-6621 or the Cape Girardeau Crime Stoppers line at 339-6312.

To deter burglaries, Hickey said people should keep their doors locked, make sure their homes are well lit, use security cameras if possible and report any suspicious activity.

"There's no way to make yourself 100 percent safe," Hickey said, but by being alert and taking basic precautions, "you make yourself a hard target."

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

2000 West Cape Rock Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.