THEFTS FROM VEHICLES SPIKE IN GREENE COUNTY

Inmost cases, the cars were left unlocked and parked in driveways.

Police agencies and the sheriff’s office are working to solve a recent spike inthefts fromvehicles in the Beavercreek area and other Greene County communities.

Authorities are saying that, in most cases, the cars were left unlockedandparkedindriveways.

“Itwas still so disturbing,” said Julie Jackson, recalling the knock on her door by a sheriff’s deputy at 1:30 a.m. one day.

Multiple cars on Jackson’s quiet suburban street off Fairground Road, including hers, had been rifledthroughatnightbyunknown perpetrators. Jackson said it was the second time in two years their vehicles had been targeted by thieves.

“Tohave a nicequiet neighborhood like thiswith great peoplewho go towork every day and take care of their business, to be terrorized and have toworry about letting their dog out at night, it’s upsetting. It’s disturbing,” said Darlene Clinger, a Beavercreek Twp. resident.

The sheriff ’s office has received more than 30 reports of thefts from vehicles over the past twoweeks, and that number does not reflect reports takenby other agencies, including Beavercreek and Jamestown police departments, according to Capt. David Tidd.

The uptick prompted a sheriff ’s office advisory Thursdaymorning that states “Most victim vehicles were left unlocked.”

“Just locking their cars would deter most of the thefts,” Tidd said. “We have not taken any complaints where windowswere broken out or doors forced open.”

Beavercreek police are investigating 21 incidents of thefts from vehicles that have been reported since Sept. 1, according to Capt. Chad Lindsey.

“It is believed that multiple people are involved, but it is unknown if any of the thefts were committed by the same group or a different group each time,” Lindsey said.

Stolen items included purses, computerequipment and prescription medications, according to Lindsey.

In some incidents, gasolinewas siphoned away and catalytic converterswere cut off, Lindsey said.

“You just never think it’s going tobe you,” said Clinger, who got a knock on her door at 2 a.m. one day about a theft. Someone had gone through her car, which was parked next to the house downa long driveway. Some loose change and a GPS unit were missing.

Clinger said she and her husband are “much more vigilant” since the crime.

“We double-check everything now,” she said. “We’ll be installing outdoor video as well. ... We already have security but we’ll be adding more.”

To report suspicious activity in a GreeneCounty neighborhood, call the local police or the county’s dispatch center at 937-376-5111.