The Pike County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s help in solving a series of burglaries that took place Wednesday.

Sheriff Russell Thomas said three residences ­ all within 1 mile of each other ­ were burglarized Wednesday morning. More than $3,500 worth of property, from electronics to guns, was taken.

"The burglaries took place between the Bon-Air Subdivision and Ansley Road" off County Road 22, Thomas said. "In all three cases, entry was gained by kicking in the back door."

Thomas said the burglaries took place between 9 a.m. and noon, and the residences were unoccupied at the time. The three residences were at Route 7 Box 34A, Route 7 Box 54 and Route 7 Box 54-B. Stolen were four televisions;

a computer with printer and monitor; a cordless telephone; assorted CDs; a VCR; a black leather jacket; a 12-guage shotgun; and a .22-caliber pistol. "There’s no doubt (those items) probably are being traded for drugs or money," Thomas said.

Thomas said deputies are expanding the investigation and asking anyone in that area to report suspicious or abnormal activities

on Wednesday ­ "even if you think it’s unrelated

(and) it might not have registered with you at the time."

For example, he said, one neighbor reported that a unidentified male had stopped and asked for directions that morning. Deputies can use that description in their investigation.

Anyone with information should contact the Pike County Sheriff’s Department at 566-4347.