SAVANNAH, GA (December 11, 2015): Southside Precinct detectives of the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department once again urge citizens to lock doors and remove valuables from unoccupied vehicles after a rash of entering auto cases during SCMPD’s weekly crime reporting period ending on Dec. 5.
Between Nov. 29 and Dec. 5, Southside Precinct Detectives responded to 11 entering auto reports, with frequent occurrences in three neighborhoods in the precinct’s coverage area. From Nov. 30 to Dec. 3, there were three entering auto reports at an apartment complex on the 9100 block of White Bluff Road. Of those cases, three vehicles had no obvious signs of forced entry, valuables were left visible in one and items were stolen from two vehicles.
On Dec. 2 – 3, there were four entering auto cases at an apartment community on the 200 block of West Montgomery Cross Road, including three with no signs of forced entry and three with stolen contents.
Between Nov. 30 and Dec. 4, there were four entering auto reports in a mobile home community on the 9900 block of Ferguson Avenue. Two of those vehicles had no apparent signs of forced entry. Two vehicles contained valuables left in plain view. Also, items were stolen from all four vehicles on Ferguson Avenue.
No arrests have been made in these ongoing cases.
“We’re doing all we can to catch these suspects; and we’re confident that we will” said Capt. Terry Shoop of Metro’s Southside Precinct. “But we ask the public to support our efforts by reporting suspicious activity as it occurs and by making vehicles as secure as possible.”
To reduce the odds of becoming an entering auto victim, SCMPD recommends the following:
- Never leave unattended vehicles running. Vehicles left running or unlocked with keys inside are often stolen and used in other crimes like entering autos, burglaries, robberies, aggravated assaults, etc.
- Always lock vehicles and close windows completely. Criminals pull door handles for easy entry to unlocked vehicles. Criminals can also enter through partially opened windows.
- Do not leave valuable items in parked vehicles. Purses on seats, electronic devices and loose change may draw thieves. Suction cup marks left on windows by GPS and cellular phone mounts, visible power cables and chargers alert thieves to the presence of expensive electronics.
- After dark, park under or near street lights. Criminals usually avoid light; although, some are willing to break-in during daylight hours.
- Install warning devices, such as alarms, that are sensitive to glass breaks and/or opened doors. No alarm is foolproof; but criminals do not like to be in the spotlight.
Anyone with information on these cases should call CrimeStoppers at (912) 234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.
A confidential tip line also is open directly to investigators at (912) 525-3124.
***Prepared by Eunicia Baker.
Leave a Reply