Unlocked vehicles, garages and homes made easy targets in a string of burglaries, Brownstown police said.
The thefts, which involved more than nine vehicles and two homes and garages, occurred early Tuesday in the Lucas-Ackerman housing addition on the southeast side of town. Two vehicles were stolen late Monday or early Tuesday in Brownstown, and a third vehicle, taken from the Reddington area north of Seymour, was recovered in Brownstown.
Sgt. John Long said police have not developed any suspects in the incidents, and he urged residents to lock their doors and vehicles.
“Never leave keys inside your vehicle or items of value,” Long said.
Most of the thefts were reported in the area of Steinkamp Street and Stephanie and Kimberly drives.
Wallets, cash and cellphones were among items taken from the vehicles, most of which were unlocked, Long said. A landscaping brick was used to break the window of one vehicle, he added.
Nothing was taken from either of the burglarized homes, but items were missing from both garages, Long said. All were unlocked, Long said. Nearby locked homes showed signs that someone had tried to break in, he added.
Police continued to receive additional reports of break-ins in the same area Wednesday morning, Long said.
Officers said they believe the vehicle taken from Reddington and recovered in Brownstown likely was used by whomever was involved in the string of thefts.
One of the two vehicles reportedly taken in Brownstown has not been seen since it was reported missing Tuesday morning, police said.
A second vehicle reported missing from Brownstown was spotted in Seymour on Tuesday by Brownstown Officer Joe Kelly, who was off-duty at the time.
Kelly arrested Matthew Hatton, 23, of Seymour, on a charge of auto theft in connection with the recovery of that vehicle.
Long said police have yet to establish any connection between Hatton and the string of thefts in Brownstown.
Any suspicious or criminal activity observed by the public should be reported to the police, Long said.
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To report any suspected criminal activity, call the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department at 812-358-2141 or Seymour Police Department at 812-522-1234.
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