We had some people in the area experience this last year. Thankfully I was not one of them. They would knock at the front door, if no answer, they'd kick in the side garage door. As soon as i found out, I went to the store and bought the biggest brackets I could find to hold a 2x4 across that door and an alarm. It doesn't take much to ruin a holiday. An old friend of mine, also had her side door kicked in in MN and a bunch of stuff, including Christmas presents were gone.
I am glad no one in your family was hurt, too bad the thief wasn't....
-C