Perrysburg upping police presence in response to thefts
8/2/2014In response to an unusual number of thefts from vehicles, Perrysburg police are increasing patrols with unmarked cars and officers on bicycles in residential neighborhoods.
Last weekend thieves hit five cars in the city, taking global positioning systems, change, cigarettes, shoes, and gift cards. Residents along Ashbury Drive this week also reported thefts from cars. Thieves got a GPS, $250 cash, soccer equipment, and other miscellaneous items in that rash of break-ins.
“The recent thefts from vehicles have not escaped our attention,” said Deputy Police Chief Jim Rose. “There has been a recent uptick the last couple of weeks, but we are well within our usual ‘norms‘ for the year. Yes we are concerned and vigilant, but no, we are not alarmed.”
He mentioned officers on the beefed up patrols have sometimes discovered the thefts before the victim was aware.
The best ways to deter thieves are to lock car doors and remove valuables, Mr. Rose said. He also urged residents to contact the police department immediately if they susicious activity, particularly if they spot strangers walking between houses late at night.
The police department also released the report of a theft of DVDs valued at $2,750 from Books-A-Million at Levis Commons on July 23. The case is inactive with no evidence leading to the identity of the person. The security camera showed a female in her “late teens to mid 20s” put DVDs in bags that she then took out of the store.
She was described as a white female with long brown hair pulled back. She is heavy set and was wearing a jacket, athletic shorts, ankle length socks, and sandals. She walked out of the store while the alarms were going off and went into a beige or gold newer model Jeep and left immediately.