Burglars are gathering Christmas presents by breaking into homes and cars in Rutherford County.
One homeowner on Millbrook Court reported about $23,000 worth of property stolen from his home Tuesday. Lawn equipment, tools, Xbox games and camping gear were taken.
Sheriff Robert F. Arnold said burglars are taking jewelry boxes filled with jewelry. He recommended people store valuable jewelry in another location.
To deter the burglars, residents should lock the doors and windows to their homes and vehicles, recommended Detective Capt. Larry Pace of the Criminal Investigations Division. Make homes appear someone is home by leaving on a radio and lights.
“They’re hitting all over the county, mostly in the daytime,” Pace said. “They’re taking electronics, jewelry, guns and medications.” Detective Jim Tramel, who investigates burglaries, said he’s investigating several burglaries of homes and sheds.
Tramel urged residents who have burglar alarms installed on their homes to set the alarm every day. If out-of-town, call the sheriff’s office at 898-7770 to set up an extra patrol where deputies will check the home regularly.
Ask neighbors to watch the house for people who should not be at the home. Neighbors who see suspicious people or vehicles in neighborhood are asked to call the sheriff’s office immediately at 898-7770 and give a description of the people, vehicle and a license plate number if possible.
Patrol Capt. David Hailey said deputies will check out any call received in an effort to locate burglary suspects.
Deputies patrolling through neighborhoods during the day watch for suspicious people in neighborhoods along with open doors and busted windows. At night, patrol officers check on suspicious people in a neighborhood.
Hailey encouraged neighbors who spot suspicious activity in the subdivision to call the sheriff’s office immediately.
Tramel said residents can help detectives recover stolen property if they record serial numbers and model numbers of electronics and guns and store the information in a safe place.
Once a burglar steals the property, the items may be sold to other people. When detectives recover stolen items, they can quickly match the property to the owner.
Pace said residents should also take photographs or video of stolen items to help identify stolen property.
Arnold recommended residents lock their vehicles and keep personal property out of the view of potential burglars.
Also, residents should not leave delivered packages on the porch of homes in plain view. Try to find an alternative place to deliver the packages or make sure someone is at home.
