YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — A fifth home break-in on base in less than a week has prompted officials to call a town hall meeting Wednesday.

The latest incident occurred sometime between midnight and 6 a.m. Sunday on the base’s East Side, said Maj. Chris Watt, a 374th Airlift Wing spokesman.

The previous four break-ins occurred from Oct. 20-22 in garden units along Pease Drive, also on the East Side. Sunday’s took place in same vicinity, Watt said.

"These incidents all have the same MO," he said, explaining that each took place at night while residents were asleep.

In each case the thief or thieves entered through unlocked doors and stole small loose items such as wallets, purses, electronic devices and money, he said.

"I expect it living off-base in the states in a lot of areas, but … while I am asleep on a military base is unacceptable," said a Web post made Sunday on YokotaTalk.com. "The [Security Forces] need to do something about it."

Wednesday’s town hall meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the base theater, officials said. Watt said it will address issues regarding the string of crimes, including discussion about crime prevention.

"All of these were crimes of convenience," he said, stressing the importance of residents to watch for suspicious activity, ensure their homes and vehicles are secure and valuables aren’t kept in plain sight, and that entrances are well lit.

Watt would not elaborate on any extra measures being taking by base security forces, citing force protection policy.

The case is reminiscent of a string of thefts from homes at Misawa Air Base in September 2007, resulting in more than $3,000 worth of property being stolen. A man married to a servicemember later admitted to five of the nine crimes and was barred from all U.S. military bases in Japan and was returned to the United States.

Anyone with information about the recent Yokota house thefts is asked to contact 374th Security Forces Squadron investigators at DSN 225-7479.