Sheriff asks for vigilance after burglaries

VW independent/submitted information

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach is asking that county residents be vigilant and report suspicious activities following a series of daytime burglaries in the county and surrounding area. The summer months are a prime time for residential burglaries and theft. Daytime burglaries can be prevalent at this time of year while people are at work or on vacation.

Deputies are currently investigating six home burglaries in the following townships: Tully, Harrison, Pleasant, Union, Ridge, and Harrison, that occurred primarily during daytime or early evening hours. In addition, several other burglaries have occurred in Allen County, Indiana, and Adams County, Indiana.

The sheriff also provided tips to remember to help safeguard property, and urged county residents to keep their residence, outbuildings, and vehicles locked, and report suspicious activity immediately.

Here are examples of suspicious activity that should be reported immediately:

• An unknown person or vehicle stays in the same place for an unusual length of time.
• An unknown parked car with the engine running, whether a person is inside it or not.
• A person behaving oddly or exhibiting unusual movements, looking out of place, or wandering around.
• A person looking into windows of homes for no reason or forcibly entering a car or home.
• A person looking into cars and moving from car to car and trying door handles.
• A person running from a home for no reason, especially at night.
• A person carrying or transporting unusual valuable objects day or night.
• A person selling items or conducting business out of their car, van, truck, or other vehicle.
• An unknown vehicle driving around the block frequently, slowing down, and speeding up.
• A vehicle without lights on arriving or leaving late at night.
• A person leaving a neighbor’s house who isn’t the neighbor or someone a person recognizes.

Those who spot suspicious activity should call the sheriff’s office at 419.238.3866.