SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) – Shawano Police Department received reports over the last week of various vehicle break-ins.
18 reports have been filed about vehicles that were gone through, items stolen and in some cases, the entire vehicle was taken.
Chief Dan Mauel says in all cases, the doors were left unlocked, meaning these are crimes of opportunity that is left wide open by avoiding key steps.
“We do ask people to take their valuables out of their cars and lock their doors,” Mauel explained. “For the most part, we are not finding windows being broken. Very rarely to people in this city break windows to get into cars.”
He says in the cases where the vehicles were stolen, the keys were left inside the vehicle with the doors unlocked and all were done at night under the cover of darkness.
Chief Mauel says they do not know how many people are involved and if all 18 reports are related, but there are some key similarities.
“Most of the recent ones have been on the east side area kind of close to the downtown area.”
Eight reports came in over the weekend.
Reports came in from residents on West Eagle Street, South Maiden Lane, East Randall Street, East Center Street, East Schurz Street, and South Union Street.
Police received seven complaints on Wednesday, October 30 from locations on South Hamlin, East Center Street where a vehicle was reported stolen. Reports also came in from South Sawyer Street and Acorn Street.
A report came in from South Franklin Street on Tuesday, October 29, one on South Lincoln Street on Sunday, October 27 and one on Oak Hill Court on Saturday, October 26.
In one incident a man is seen on a security camera entering a vehicle.
“There were two people seen walking around some of these vehicles within the past week.”
If you recognize the male subject you call the Shawano Police Department at 715-524-4545.
