BROOKINGS – Thieves have been breaking into vehicles and stealing purses, so the public should be careful with their valuables, according to the Brookings Police.
The wave of reports started at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday from an individual who had parked their 2016 Honda Accord at Dakota Nature Park in the 1700 block of 32nd Street South, said Lt. Derrick Powers.
“When they returned, they found that a window had been broken out of their vehicle and their purse was stolen,” Powers said.
The second report came at 3:10 p.m. in the 300 block of 15th Avenue for a 2007 Chevy Equinox that had been parked in the parking lot of Hillcrest Park and Hillcrest School since 12:30 p.m.
“That had its window broken out, and a purse was taken from it,” Powers said.
The third report came shortly after 4:30 p.m. for a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee in a business’ parking lot in the 1300 block of Main Avenue South. Again, the Jeep had a broken window and a purse stolen from it, Powers said.
Officers found that two other vehicles had also been entered, but they had been left unlocked, Powers said. One vehicle, a 2007 Volkswagon Rabbit, had a backpack in it, which was stolen. The other vehicle had nothing taken out of it, Powers said.
“Because of the timeframe and similarity, we believe they’re all related,” Powers said.
He warned the public to take care with their valuables.
Of the three locked vehicles with windows broken out, all had a purse stolen from them, he pointed out.
“The individuals responsible were obviously targeting vehicles that they thought valuables were inside,” he said.
“Leaving valuables in (a vehicle) – purses, money, whatever the case is – if people want to get it, they’re gonna get it, so the best thing to do to keep your stuff from being a victim of this type of crime is not storing your valuables in your car, (instead take) them with you when you leave your car,” Powers said.
Sioux Falls Police reported Wednesday that it had recieved eight reports of vehicle burglaries in Sioux Falls Tuesday, and they’re believed to be related to the vehicle burglaries in Brookings.
Police located a suspect vehicle at the Ramada Hotel in Sioux Falls early Wednesday morning. A SFPD release said three suspects, Christopher Sharard Davis, 35; Carlton Lewis Brown, 29; and Tirrany Nicole Reddick, 32, all of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., were arrested on charges of possession of stolen property related to the Sioux Falls burglaries.
