Area police, who have been investigating numerous burglaries throughout Delaware County recently, have attributed the crimes to drug addicts looking to fund their habit, according to the Delaware County Daily Times.

“This is an epidemic that’s not going away,” Upper Providence Detective Sgt. Michael Langdale told the Times.

Newtown Police Chief Christopher Lunn told the Times that once people become addicted to prescription medications and can not longer afford drugs like Oxycodone, they move on to heroin because its cheaper.

“It’s the use of heroin, which is definitely on the increase,” Lunn told the Times. “It’s cheaper than the prescription drugs so they move to heroin. Then they’re in bad shape. They get caught up in this lifestyle and the only way to fund it is to steal from other people."

Recently, Marple Township Police arrested and charged two men in connection with several burglaries.

Daniel Eberly, 27, of Claymont, Del. and Gregory Karamedas, 68, of Wilmington, Del. were each charged with several counts of burglary, according to police.

Both Eberly and Karamedas have been linked to 20 burglaries in five different municipalities in two counties, according to the Delco Times.

Despite these recent arrests, police continue to ask residents to be on the look out for people knocking on doors and/or walking around houses. If you see anyone suspicious in your neighborhood, call 911 and report as much information as possible.

If you have an alarm system, please use it. Keep any expensive jewelry somewhere other than the master bedroom and keep an eye out for your neighbors.