AHWATUKEE, Ariz. -- Burglars are targeting vacant, unsold homes in what police call a growing trend as properties sit on the market for months on end.

Michael Sideman, 18, and a 16-year-old girl are accused of breaking into an empty home in the care of a realtor, living there for a while and then breaking into a neighbor's home, said Detective Cindy Scott of the Phoenix Police Department.

They face a number of charges, including burglary, theft and trafficking in stolen property.

One Valley property manager, Lisa Tellef, said a Phoenix condo has been burgarlized and vandalized at least five times since it was listed for sale in March.

There are no furnishings inside, but thieves steal anything they can get their hands on, Tellef said.

"They've stolen the cooler, the doors, the windows, the wiring and plumbing," Tellef said.

Tellef said the condo is one of three properties her company manages that has been hit recently.

"We were managing the property, the tenants moved out and within days of that, someone went and tore all the electrical wiring out," she said.

Police said the amount of time homes are sitting on the market acts as a magnet for criminal activity.

"Visually they can see the lawn is overgrown, there's mail out front, and a 'for sale' sign in the yard," Scott said.

Scott said burglars are keen to the comings and goings of residents in the neighborhood.

"There's a variety of times of day and variety of ways they're entering the homes," Scott said. "The home is vacant, so natural deterants don't exist."

Scott suggests a blockwatch concept. Talk to your neighbors, have them watch and report anything suspicious, and/or have your realtor check your home as often as possible.