Precautions can help stop property theft

NEW MADRID, Mo. - On Jan. 17, officers responded to the storage sheds behind the car wash on US Highway 61 for a break-in.

The complainants said they had not been at their storage shed in a few months, and when they checked it on Jan. 17, someone had broken in their storage unit. Sometime in the last two months, the lock was cut, items stolen and a new lock put on.

Officers are checking surveillance cameras in the area but so far have not identified a suspect.

Storage shed break-ins are fairly common in Southeast Missouri. If possible renters should take care to put a round lock on the door that is hard to remove with bolt cutters.

In addition, there have recently been several thefts out in the county involving ATVs, side by sides and trailers.

Be sure that when left unattended, ATVs and side by sides have the keys removed. In addition, trailers should be parked behind a locked gate or with a lock on the trailer’s tongue.

Anything that can be done to make it harder for a thief to steal is a good idea.