AMHERST — Break-ins at three homes, all reported Saturday afternoon, are being investigated by Amherst Police.

Police are also investigating an armed robbery in which two men allegedly showed a knife, while stealing $10 in cash and a cellphone from a victim at a New Year’s Eve party at a home on Eveningstar Drive.

The home break-ins took place on Amity Street and Hobart Lane, said Detective Sgt. Brian Daly.

At 2:48 p.m., police were contacted by a resident at an Amity Street home who returned to the residence to find that an intruder, who had already fled, had gotten into the home by opening a window, Daly said.

It was unknown if any items were stolen from the home, Daly said.

Hobart Lane residents called police at 3:24 p.m. and 4:38 p.m. after coming back to their homes and discovering that someone had gotten into the dwellings, also through windows. Daly said both homes were in disarray, but like in the earlier break-in on Amity Street, the tenants were not yet sure if any possessions were taken.

Before college students leave on winter break, police issue reminders about locking doors and windows and securing valuables while they are away from their off-campus rentals.

The armed robbery incident was reported at 11:34 p.m. Saturday by a man attending a party at a home on Eveningstar Drive, Daly said.

Eveningstar is a cul-de-sac off South East Street.

At 12:12 a.m. Sunday,  as police continued their investigation into the incident, the two suspects and the alleged victim were observed among more than 200 people gathered at an Eveningstar home for a loud party, with numerous vehicles parked on the cul-de-sac and along South East Street.

Several underage people were found in possession of alcohol and a resident was issued a $300 citation for violating the town’s nuisance house bylaw.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.

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