Sheri ’s o ce warns of suspects committing auto thefts, burglaries

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Since May, a group of suspects committing garage burglaries, auto thefts and vehicle trespasses have targeted several areas throughout Douglas County, the sheri ’s o ce announced in early July.

And it’s tough for law enforcement to put an end to the spree — unless you do your part.

“We are actively working these cases, and the sheri is committed to nding these criminals, but we need the community’s help,” Deputy Cocha Heyden, a spokesperson for the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce, said in a statement. “We need them to take prevention measures to take these opportunities away from these thieves.” at’s all the more important because in at least two of the incidents, authorities know suspects were carrying guns, according to the sheri ’s o ce.

Believe it or not, small steps during your day — something as simple as taking your garage door opener inside with you — can go a long way toward deterring crime.

“It is also extremely important that you do not confront these thieves. e last thing we want is for anyone to get hurt or, even worse, killed,” Sheri Darren Weekly said in a news release.

Shown on video e sheri ’s o ce released video footage of people trying to open door handles of cars parked in a driveway. Five people are seen approaching the property.

Law enforcement is currently not releasing the number of suspects believed to be in the group, Heyden told Colorado Community Media on July 13.

Asked how many garage burglaries, auto thefts and vehicle trespasses the group has allegedly committed around the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce jurisdiction since May, Heyden said: “Without going into speci cs, we believe at least ve.” e stolen vehicles were recovered in other jurisdictions, and “we have reason to believe, through the investigation, that they were used to commit other crimes,” Heyden added.

“ e suspects were seen to be carrying weapons through video footage,” Heyden said.

Car theft is a widespread issue in the Denver metro area, and it goes beyond just one group of suspects.

Asked whether the sheri ’s o ce is aware of any other group that has been committing garage burglaries, auto thefts or vehicle trespasses in its jurisdiction in the past few months, Heyden said there are other incidents that have occurred that were likely not committed by this speci c group.

(A “vehicle trespass” involves the entering of a vehicle, not necessarily breaking in, according to the sheri ’s o ce.)

Pay attention to basics e suspects target unlocked vehicles, often looking for garage door remotes so they can open the garage door and steal items or vehicles in the garage with keys left inside, according to the news release. ere are high-tech ways of breaking into or stealing cars, but most auto thefts in the Douglas County jurisdiction are committed through crimes of opportunity, Heyden said.

“Citizens unfortunately leave their keys in the car, or in some circumstances leave their car running (because they) like to warm it up during the winter months,” Heyden said. “Some past auto theft cases have been (the) result of being able to bypass the ignition system with some sort of device.”

How to secure your vehicle, belongings e more prevention steps a person takes, the better, Heyden said.

“For years, we have said basically the same thing: Do not leave valuables in your car — thieves look for easy things to steal — take your garage door remote out of your car if you have to park it on the street, do not leave your keys in your car, lock your car.”

Other tips from the sheri ’s o ce include:

• If you can, park your car in the garage and don’t leave valuables in the car, don’t leave keys in it and lock it even in the garage.

• Set up a routine for when you are getting ready to settle in for the night. Walk around your house, make sure your windows are shut and locked, make sure the garage door is shut. If cars are in the driveway, make sure they are locked and no valuables are inside and take out the remote.

• Make sure the door from your garage to your house is locked. If you have a side door from the garage to the outside, make sure it is locked too.

Steering-wheel locks — available from stores including Walmart for as low as $20 — aren’t an infallible way of preventing auto theft, but they could o er some deterrent e ect.

“ e steering-wheel lock is one (prevention) measure, and yes, while we have heard of thieves cutting through it, I am not sure how often that actually occurs,” Heyden said. “ ieves will likely not want to take a lot of time committing these crimes.”

If you see something e sheri ’s o ce also stresses the importance of civilians calling 911 right away when they see or hear someone who may be breaking into cars.

“ e quicker they call us, the quicker we can get there to try to catch (them),” the sheri ’s o ce’s statement said. “If you discover that your car has been broken into, call us right away — do not wait to call us.”