Police Urging Residents to Lock Vehicles

The Toccoa Police Department is investigating a series of vehicle break-ins and entering auto cases.

According to Toccoa Police Chief Tim Jarrell, his department is seeing an increase in the number of these cases in recent weeks.

“We are having an unusual amount of vehicles that are being picked through and gone through at night, while people are asleep,” said Jarrell. “These incidents are not occurring in any isolated or specific area. They are happening all over the city.”

Most of what is taken, he said, is small. However, some computers and handguns have been taken.

Jarrell said that police are out patrolling neighborhoods and talking to people who are out in the late night or early morning hours.

However, he said the department is asking the public to do its part to help keep these types of incidents from occurring.

“We are asking the public to make sure they secure their vehicles in an effort to reduce the possibility of them becoming a victim of crime, but also reducing the number of thefts that we have reported to us,” said Jarrell.

In addition, Jarrell said people should remember to take valuables out of a vehicle or store them safely, just like during the holiday shopping season.

He said people should not leave items in plain view at night.

“Take it in your house or lock it in the trunk,” said Jarrell.

Jarrell said that while police believe some of the incidents are related to each other, not all are related.

He said that police are investigating the cases and adds that if anyone sees someone suspicious around people’s vehicles, especially during overnight hours, to contact law enforcement.