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Craig criminals targeting unlocked cars

Patrick Kelly
Officers from Craig Police Department interview a man suspected of breaking into unlocked cars in front of the Craig Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Executive Director Christina Oxley said she confronted the man after a coworker noticed him entering her car.
Patrick Kelly

Since September, Craig Police Department has reported 33 vehicle break-ins, mostly on unlocked cars.

“The trend is that they’re entering cars that are unlocked and if there’s anything valuable in there they take it,” CPD Commander Jerry DeLong said.

DeLong said the break-ins weren’t localized and there wasn’t an overall trend other than the cars being unlocked with valuables inside.



“They’re looking for money or anything else that’s valuable,” he said.

Craig resident Michelle Balleck became the victim of such a crime when someone stole her purse out of her car in December.



Balleck parked in the Craig Chamber of Commerce parking lot and left her vehicle unlocked. When she returned, her purse was missing along with the cash and credit cards it contained.

“I think we get complacent with living in Craig and we think that we’re immune to crime,” she said.

Since the break-in, Balleck said she does not leave valuables in her car and always remembers to lock it — a process she would recommend to others.

“I just think that people need to be aware that it’s happening more and more frequently in our small town and they need to protect themselves,” she said.

DeLong said prevention of becoming a victim only takes some simple steps.

“One: Keep your vehicle locked,” he said. “Two: Don’t leave valuables in it and don’t leave your keys in it.”

Reach Patrick Kelly at 970-875-1795 or Reach Patrick Kelly at 970-875-1795 or pkelly@craigdailypress.com. Follow him on Twitter @M_PKelly.Reach Patrick Kelly at 970-875-1795 or pkelly@craigdailypress.com. Follow him on Twitter @M_PKelly.


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