Avoid being easy target for thieves

The past week has proven to be very profitable for burglars targeting vehicles in our fine town. The value of the items taken, in most cases, do not come close to the cost of the damage done.

Please stop making it easy for these people to make you a victim. Leaving cash out in the open, laptop bags on the seat, purses on the floor, and/or cameras in the back window makes your car an easy target. Some of these vehicles weren’t even locked and the bad guy chose to break out the window anyway.

Think location, lighting, and locking whenever leaving your vehicle for any length of time.

Location: try to park in an area that is away from foliage or obstructions that will allow someone to remain hidden in order to access your vehicle. Lighting: Take a look around and find an area with plenty of light from street or building lights. Locking: Lock the door. It’s a good practice to take a minute to walk around your car before unlocking it and jumping right in.

Any evidence left by the thief is best left alone until officers arrive on the scene. Keep an eye out for your neighbors, as well, and call if you see someone lurking around or things that just don’t look right.

Now, let’s see what’s been happening around town.

Feb. 18. Burglary: The caller states she returned home and all her jewelry has been taken at 12:05 a.m. in the 800 block of Avenue B.

Grand larceny: A foot chase ensues after a thief removes a bicycle while the owner is pumping iron at 2:48 p.m. in the 800 block of Buchanan Boulevard.

Thought for the day: The two-wheeled thief is caught and made to return the expensive bike before his date with the booking officer.

Feb. 19. Assist: The woman in the lobby would like to report that her purse was stolen in California at a rest stop at 10:54 a.m. in the 1000 block of Arizona Street.

Domestic: Two roommates let the argument get a little out of hand at 10:28 p.m. in the 500 block of Tara Court.

Thought for the day: I’m not sure why anyone would wait until they arrived at their destination to report a theft that happened in another state. The crime must be reported where it happened.

Feb. 20. Robbery: No one is injured and the investigation is positive on catching the person responsible for this incident at 3:42 a.m. in the 900 block of Utah Street.

DUI: The stop sign is dead on arrival and the vehicle is now driving down the sidewalk at 10:42 p.m. in the area of Chestnut Drive and Rawhide Road.

Thought for the day: Keep your eyes and ears open when out walking at night. We don’t want anyone injured because of another’s bad decisions.

Feb. 21. Hit and run: The caller identifies the vehicle that struck several other vehicles and is now parked nearby at 10:01 a.m. in the area of Fifth Street and Avenue B.

Damage: The owner finds his items missing and windows broken out when leaving for work at 10:42 a.m. in the 1600 block of Bermuda Dunes Drive.

Thought for the day: We are grateful for citizens who are witness to a crime and aren’t afraid to do the right thing.

Feb. 22. Disturbance: Officers receive ongoing reports of one individual out practicing his bull whip talent on unsuspecting trees and foliage at 8:38 a.m. in the 1300 block of Capri Drive.

Civil: A man wants to report his car stolen after his brother doesn’t bring it back in the allotted time at 7:01 p.m. in the 1100 block of Cummings Drive.

Thought for the day: The bull-whipper will soon be the proud new owner of a stack of citations now that the callers realize they have the ability to put a stop to this nonsense.

Feb. 23. Soliciting: The subject knocking on doors and handing out brochures for housecleaning has a valid license and has paid for the appropriate permits at 3:10 p.m. in the 1700 block of St. Andrews Court.

Disturbance: The kids ringing the doorbell and knocking on windows better hope the police catch them and not the father of the juveniles in the home at 5:46 p.m. in the 400 block of Ash Street.

Thought for the day: Not all solicitors are illegal so be sure and ask to see a permit if you’re interested in the services being offered.

Feb. 24. Suspicious: The caller states the man appeared drunk and beer cans rolled out of his car when he stepped out to scream at them at 2:25 p.m. in the area of Nevada Way and Buchanan Boulevard.

Drugs: Narcotics and warrants spell an early end to an evening adventure at 11:22 p.m. in the 1500 block of Nevada Highway.

Thought for the day: I’m not sure why you would think beer cans are related to the driver’s bad behavior.

Call of the week: Threats: The middle-aged owner of the vehicle makes a huge scene trying to gain possession of his impounded ride. He is unsuccessful so he sends his elderly mother to pay the fees and pick it up. Nothing says I’m a gangster like having your mom come and be the responsible one at 3:00 p.m. on Foothill Drive.

Tina Ransom is a dispatcher with Boulder City Police Department. She is coordinator of the Boulder City Citizen’s Academy.