Stolen vehicle recovered; gun inside gone

Bella Vista police received a report that a black Ford Expedition was stolen March 22.

The vehicle belonged to a Little Drive resident who left the keys in the vehicle and the vehicle unlocked. In addition to those keys, a 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun was in the vehicle, according to the dispatch report.

Detective Clayton Roberts said that the vehicle was recovered in Goodman, Mo., the next day, and a different vehicle was reported stolen near where it was found. The firearm, he said, has not been recovered.

There are currently no suspects, he said, but the department was able to collect some items that have been sent to the Arkansas Crime Lab for further analysis.

This vehicle, he said, was one of several in its neighborhood that were entered, and in one other case the individual who entered the vehicle attempted to start it with a house key.

“They weren’t trying to get in cars and steal stuff,” he said. “They’re trying to steal a car.”

Anyone who might have information, he said, should call the Police Department at 479-855-3771. The call can be anonymous, he said.

Residents should be sure to lock their home and car doors alike, he said.

The majority of vehicle break-ins, he said, are performed on unlocked vehicles.

Additionally, he said, it’s best to ensure anything of value is out of sight. Leaving valuables visible, he said, may entice someone to break a window to get into the car. But if they do that, he said, they’ve also made a lot of noise and drawn attention to what they’re doing.

“Please lock your doors at night, please lock your car doors,” Roberts said. “Make it harder for them, don’t just leave it unlocked.”