By Pat Culverhouse

Minden city police officers are investigating a string of weekend vehicle burglaries in neighborhoods, and Chief Jared McIver says it’s a crime that’s frustrating to the victims and challenging to officers.

It’s also a crime where the average citizen can take steps that may hinder or even prevent vehicle break-ins and property thefts, the Chief said.

“The best rule is to assume that every night someone is going to try to break into your vehicle,” McIver said. “If I was to put out a mass alert that tonight someone was going to break into your vehicle or steal your property, I believe everyone would lock their vehicles and secure all their possessions.”

No neighborhood is immune from potential thefts, and unlocked vehicles seem to be the favorite targets of what McIver calls “crimes of opportunity.”  That’s because little effort and even less time is required to remove valuables.

“They’re looking for something easy, something to grab and go,” he said. “When they find a vehicle that’s unlocked, they can be in and out and gone in just a matter of seconds.”

Thieves aren’t fond of breaking windows to make entrance, but they’re willing to take a chance if they see something inside a vehicle that will bring quick cash, McIver said.

“Even if you do lock your vehicle doors, I wouldn’t recommend leaving anything visible inside that a thief believes he can sell,” he said. “Firearms or jewelry, or cash in a console would be a reason for them to take the risk of alerting a homeowner.”

McIver said some auto burglaries are the work of juveniles who may be trying to gain favor with gangs. Kids, he said, will break into a vehicle, steal a gun and their first thought is to sell it to an out-of-town gang member for quick cash.

But, he pointed out, while the incidents of such thefts involving juveniles seems to be on the rise, it’s not always the youngsters who are doing the planning.

“Adults have figured out our juvenile problem. They know there’s no space for holding them. Adults hire juveniles to commit the crimes and tell them all that will happen if they’re caught is to be placed in the custody of parents or guardians,” McIver said. “Juveniles are a revolving door and it’s not the fault of police, judges or prosecutors.”

In addition to keeping vehicles locked, whether it’s at the store or at home, McIver said residents should also keep other possessions locked inside at night.

“We would encourage people to take all their possessions out of the yard at night, especially things like tools, lawn equipment and bicycles,” he said. “It should become a habit, just like locking the doors to your home at night. We encourage people to get into a routine.”

People should also remember that it’s not just local thieves who may be looking for an easy score, McIver said.

“We have seen some from out of town and out of state come through here, riding around and marking things they see in yards…things that are quick flips for cash,” he said. “They will also be looking for open garage doors, trying to see if people store lots of property there. Then they will come back late at night or very early in the morning.”

McIver said there is a tool available to all homeowners that could help prevent thefts, and could also be a major aid to law enforcement.

“Door cameras and security cameras could be a deterrent and also a benefit to law enforcement,” he said. “Neighborhood cameras are great. If a thief is wearing a mask or a hoodie, we might not see a face but there is so much more evidence that might be obtained.”

Camera footage could help investigators establish a timeline of the theft and even provide information on the perpetrator’s height, weight, body type, clothing or other evidence. 

“Cameras might capture a suspicious vehicle or something recognizable like a tattoo or a specific type of shoe. Some have audio, and we might pick up a name or some useful information,” McIver said.

McIver’s has a valuable piece of advice to residents that targets individual safety. He referred to an incident in a nearby city where a juvenile car burglar shot and killed a homeowner who tried to confront thieves.

“Call us quickly if you hear or see this happening. Our officers can be almost anywhere in this city in less than five minutes, sometimes quicker,” he said. “Let us do our part, because confronting someone is a major thing, even for police.”

McIver said officers are well trained and have a lot more options including non-lethal force.

“We want to catch that person as badly as you want them caught. If they try to run, we have K9s who can certainly run faster than the thief. We don’t arrive with lights and sirens to alert them, we want the element of surprise. We arrive quietly and quickly,” he said.