AMHERST - As college students who have been away since the fall semester ended return to town, police are beginning to receive reports about break-ins and thefts from off-campus rental homes.

During New Year's weekend, three thefts at North Amherst homes were reported to police, said Detective Greg Wise.

The first report was made by a Puffton Village woman Saturday at 1:44 p.m. She told police she returned to the 1040 North Pleasant St. apartment after being gone since Dec. 15 and observed that shoes valued at $200, a handbag valued at more than $400 and an iPod were all stolen. No forced entry to the residence was evident, Wise said.

At 5:59 p.m., another Puffton Village resident got back to her home for the first time since Dec. 18 and noticed two television sets and a camera were missing.

Sunday at 8:14 a.m., a resident of Pine Street was back in his home after being gone for 10 days. He noticed forced entry to the residence, but didn't yet know if anything had been stolen.

Prior to Thanksgiving break, police sent out reminders to students living off campus about bringing their valuables with them if they would be gone for extended periods and to conceal items from view. Police also scheduled additional patrols in neighborhoods where there are numerous student rentals.

In addition to the three incidents that occurred while students were out of town, police received a report Saturday at 8:07 p.m. about three cars in the driveway of a Lincoln Avenue home that had their windows smashed, with purses left inside them stolen. Police are investigating those break-ins.