Locals plagued by rash of thefts

SHELLEY — For thieves, the holidays present prime opportunities with packages on doorsteps, presents in open garages and homeowners leaving town with unlocked doors.

Several homeowners around E Maple in Shelley reported property stolen and vehicles ransacked over the past few days. The Shelley Police Department said they are investigating the crimes.

Tuesday, Chelsey Kennelly, said in a post on the Shelley Idaho Facebook Page that someone stole her wallet out of her truck. Others responded to the post with similar stories.

“I’m coming on 14 years now and I’ve only seen three maybe four legitimate smash and grabs,” Shelley Police Sgt. Robert Tincher said. “Everything else has just been a crime of opportunity. People leaving their stuff unlocked, their garage doors up, their front doors open, unfortunately, just making themselves kind of an easy target.”

He said most of the recent thefts have been crimes of opportunity. While it’s no guarantee, Tincher said people need to lock their homes and vehicles whenever possible.

“It’s like something I learned in the Marine Corps; you’re never gonna be safe from being a target, but generally, the bad guys will try to attack the easiest target they can find,” Tincher said.

But locking doors is just the first step people should take to protect their property. Tincher offered a variety of other precautions people can take.

“If you’re going to leave town, let your neighbors know so that if they see anybody going around your place that shouldn’t be there, they can call us,” he said.

Another option for those who will be gone for a week or two is to let the Shelley Police Department know.

“They can actually come down to the police department and fill out, what we call, a vacation watch. It lets us know when you’re leaving, when you’re gonna be back, your phone number and we’ll go check on the residence at least two to three times a shift. That’s the day shift, the mid-shift and the graveyard shift,” Tincher said.

He explained that officers will check to make sure your doors are locked, check for packages and move them and check on sheds and other outbuildings. They’ll check any vehicles left as well as the home’s security system if it has one.

“A few other security features: Motion lights are great. Especially if I drive by a house and it’s dark then drive back by a little bit later and that light is on. I know something set it off and that draws my attention. Another thing that I like to tell people is to keep the keys to their vehicle beside their bed. So if they hear something they can set the alarm off,” Tincher said.

Finally, one of the biggest things Tincher said can help deter thieves is to have security cameras.

“Cameras, cameras, cameras. Ring bells, security cameras, whatever they can get their hands on,” he said.

Anyone who has been a victim of a crime, call 911 or the Shelley Police Department at (208) 357-3446.