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ALARMING TREND IN HELENA: Thieves Targeting Unlocked Cars and Garages

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Sep 8, 2010 at 5:20 PM MST

Story Updated: Sep 8, 2010 at 5:30 PM MST

An alarming trend in Helena has authorities reminding you to lock your vehicles and garage doors.

In the past three weeks, Lewis and Clark county officials say at least sixteen unlocked cars in driveways, streets and personal garages have been broken into across the Helena area.

Sheriff Leo Dutton describes it to be Vehicle Trespassing and the thieves are stealing personal items such as laptops, cash, cell phones - even hunting bows.

Authorities believe there are multiple culprits and Dutton says there is a possibility one of these criminals may drive an older model car with a loud muffler. He adds that the thefts are taking place primarily on weekends and late at night or early in the morning.

“…Close the garage door, lock the car doors, take your keys out of your vehicle, these are crimes of opportunity. They’re going in and testing all the cars that are locked and skipping all the cars that are locked. If your garage is locked, if your car is locked they’re skipping over it so that’s one way we can cut down on this,” says Dutton.

Dutton also adds that he is stepping up enforcement and surveillance in affected areas. He also says that they are hoping citizens will help law enforcement, and encourages people to be aware of their surroundings

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