Over the course of a few days in late October, the Macomb Police Department (MPD) received numerous reports of break-ins and burglaries to vehicles parked outside of homes in Macomb, along with multiple stolen vehicles. All of the vehicles have since been recovered, and one local 17-year-old juvenile has been arrested, according to MPD.
'MPD detectives and officers have been collecting evidence and drafting reports. The volume of thefts makes this string of cases burdensome, 'said Macomb Police Chief Jeff Hamer.
According to Hamer, four cars were stolen from homes in various part of the city. One vehicle was found abandoned in St. Louis, while the others were recovered in Macomb. In addition to the car thefts, at least 12 vehicles were entered, all were unlocked, with a variety of items, including firearms, stolen, he added.
'We think these thefts were committed by the same person or group of persons.
We've talked to neighbors and we've been canvassing the region. Our detectives and patrol officers have worked tirelessly, as they do with any case, to locate the vehicles and property and find every person responsible for these thefts,' said Operations Commander Troy Shoudel.
'In all instances in this most recent incident, much like the one that occurred last October, the vehicles were left unlocked and keys were in the vehicle, which made the thefts the perfect crimes of opportunity.'
What can car and home owners (or renters) do to safeguard their property, and what should they do when their car is stolen (or broken into) or their home is burglarized? First and foremost, Shoudel said, is to report any break-in or theft to the police immediately/as soon as possible. In addition, homeowners/car owners can check social media marketplace, online sales sites and pawn/resale shops to check if their property appears.
'The sooner we have the information, the sooner we can begin our investigation. We take every report seriously and will investigate the reported thefts. We will do all that we can to recover property and find the suspect or suspects responsible,' Shoudel stressed. 'Filing a report is also usually a requirement by insurance companies in order to open a claim.'
To protect property, there are a few simple things to keep in mind:
• Do not leave vehicles unlocked,
• Do not leave keys in the car.
• Do not leave valuables (purse, money, wallet, etc.) in plain sight (windows can be broken and/or doors forced open).
• When leaving home, lock doors and windows.
• If you're going to be gone for an extended period of time, let trusted neighbors and friends know and ask them to collect mail, put out and put away garbage cans, etc.
• Leave lights and/or television on, or on timers. Make the home appear as if someone is present.
• Consider a security camera, such as a doorbell, and/or motion-activated security lights.
• Contact the Macomb Police Department to request a 'vacation check' during your absence.
'Besides safeguarding your property by locking doors and closing and locking windows, another factor to remember is that quite often insurance providers will not open a claim for a vehicle that was left unlocked and/ or keys were left in the vehicle,' Hamer shared. 'It's in your best interest to lock your cars (and homes), remove the keys from your car and not leave valuables in plain sight in your vehicle, even a cup of loose change or a few dollar bills can entice the wrong person. The amount of care one takes to protect their home and belongings can make a world of difference.
'Often thefts of, or from, vehicles, in particular, are crimes of opportunity,' he concluded. 'And we can do our best by denying those who are going to commit these crimes the opportunity to do so.'
