A string of several vehicular larcenies hit some residents of Platte City last Thursday. According to the Platte City Police Department’s incident reports, officers were dispatched to two different areas where five separate larcenies occurred.
An officer was first dispatched to three separate locations at Myers Terrace. The first victim stated that when she woke up and went out to her vehicle, she noticed her car had been ransacked, including her purse and glove compartment. She found several items missing, including her bank book, driver’s license, a pair of brown Sketchers estimated at $30, and two curling irons estimated at approximately $60 each.
The second victim also stated that after being contacted by the first victim about the incident, he noticed that his glove compartment had been ransacked. It was determined that the suspect gained access through the rear window of his vehicle which was unlocked. The glove compartments on two vehicles belonging to a third victim had also been gone through.
According to the report, the investigation revealed no signs of forced entry to any of the vehicles and all of the victims had left their vehicles unlocked.
In a separate incident, an officer responded to Carmack Drive regarding items being stolen from a truck.
The victim told the officer that as he was getting ready to leave for work he got into his truck and noticed that someone had taken his wallet and ransacked his glove compartment. The victim, who had also left his vehicle unlocked, said his daughter’s unsecured vehicle had been entered and ransacked, as well.
Several items were taken from the second vehicle including some clothes and a pair of prescription sunglasses that were orange and black with the words Platte County High School spelled out in rhinestones. The victim estimated the value to be approximately $150. A second victim also contacted the officer and reported that a radar detector had been stolen from the visor of his truck on Wednesday night.
The second investigation also revealed that there was no forced entry into any of the vehicles and that all of the vehicles were unlocked.
Officer Beth Lewark said the department usually experiences these types of minor crimes in June or July.
“These crimes happen all the time but it seems to be a little more active in the summer months,” said public information officer Beth Lewark.
“The best offense is a good defense. If you lock your vehicles even if they are in your driveway, take the keys out of your vehicle, lock your vehicles and lock your homes—that’s the best deterrent. The more difficult you make it to get into your vehicles and homes, the better off you are. You don’t want to make it easy on them.”
Lewark stated that at this time there is no suspect.
“Should suspect information become available, we will act on that information,” said Lewark.
“I just remind people to take care of their property and lock up their vehicles and homes. That’s the best way to keep things from happening to you as a citizen.”