Sheriff Ray Urges You to Report Suspicious Activity in Your Neighborhoods

With burglaries and thefts on the rise recently, Sheriff Patrick Ray is asking you to be more aware of your surroundings to guard against becoming a victim.
“If there are strange vehicles or people walking in your neighborhood who you don’t know, call us and we will come and check them out”, said Sheriff Ray. “Most thieves will case out houses to break into. Thieves will try to figure out a “day to day pattern” of victims to try and set a time to break into the victim’s residence.”
Sheriff Ray also urges you to keep your vehicle doors locked when they are parked and unattended. “Thieves have entered unlocked vehicles and broken out windows trying to steal items they have seen lying in the vehicle such as gifts, purses and bags. GPS devices are also a target. Make sure to take down your GPS device off the window including the suction cup. A GPS suction cup stuck to a window tells the thief that the GPS is probably in the glove box or under the seat. There have been vehicle thefts like this in the western part of the county around the Snows Hill area. If at anytime of the night you hear a noise such as a bang or glass breakage, we encourage you to call us immediately so a deputy can check it out.”
“We have also had theft reports in the Dale Ridge Road and the Temperance Hall areas where thieves have been stealing items such as lawn furniture, rocking chairs, hose pipes, gas grills, wooden benches, and power lawn tools such as leaf blowers. ”
“Motion lights are great tools to keep thieves away from your vehicle, home, and outbuildings. A motion light will activate if something or someone moves in front of the sensor alerting you something is out there. The motion light is inexpensive and easy to install.”
“If you notice any suspicious activity in your neighborhood, you may call the Central Dispatch Center at 215-3000 so an officer can assist or if you know of anyone selling items such as the ones listed above, you may call me at 597-4935 or the Crime Tip Line at 464-6400. All calls are kept confidential.”