For the second time in less than three months local authorities are asking for the public's help in cracking down on a huge spike in larcenies taking place from private vehicles around Berrien County. Just as was the case in late August, people who have left their vehicles unlocked and most of the time on their own property, are discovering that their car, truck or SUV has been broken into overnight.
In late August there was a rash of some 40 break-ins reported all around Lincoln Township. If the same people responsible for those attacks are involved now…they've broadened their reach according to Berrien County Sheriff's Detectives.
The Berrien County Sheriff's Department says this time in the ten-day span from November 1st to the 10th of the month, they have been called on to investigate approximately forty more incidents of larceny from a motor vehicle with the thief or thieves hitting in Berrien Township, Buchanan Township, Watervliet Township, Hagar Township and Royalton Township.
Detectives say that in the vast majority of these incidents, which occurred during the night time hours, the vehicles were left unlocked by the owners and small personal items, along with money has been taken.
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is first and foremost reminding you to lock your vehicles whenever the vehicles are unattended, even in your own driveway or in your own garage.
Detectives are also requesting that the citizens of and visitors to our county report any suspicious activity they might observe to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, the Michigan State Police, or their local police agency.
Anyone calling in to report suspicious activity can call the Berrien County Dispatch Center at (269) 983-3060.
Anyone with information on the Larceny from Motor Vehicle cases can contact the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau at (269) 983-7111 ext. 7224 or via e-mail at detectives@berriencounty.org
