Thieves illegally enter 20 other cars

A vehicle that had been stolen early Saturday morning in Danville was found at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday near J.E. Woods, along with a firearm that had been in the car.

The vehicle, a blue 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara, had been stolen during a rash of thefts from about 20 other vehicles that occurred in the city in the areas of Jean Drive, Perkins Avenue and Logan Avenue.

According to Sgt. Jonathan Mullins with the Danville Police Department, the driver had returned home at about 3 a.m. and officers believe it had been taken by about 4 a.m. Mullins said it is believed the rash of car thefts occurred between about 11:30 p.m. Friday and 4 a.m. Saturday

“The times varied. One man we spoke to said he had gone to bed at about 3 a.m. and didn’t hear anything,” Mullins said.

He said another lady reported her dog having barked for several hours, from about 11:30 p.m. to about 4 a.m., first toward Perkins and later toward Logan.

Mullins said at last count, it appears 20 cars had been entered, but none showed signs of forced entry. Some owners admitted having left their cars unlocked, while others said they know their vehicles were locked.

“Not all had something taken,” he said. “We responded to the first report that a vehicle was gone through, but nothing was taken. They didn’t want a report, but were just letting us know,” he said.

Mullins said the owner of the stolen car called to report her vehicle having been taken, then her neighbor noticed their car had been entered, too. At that point, he began driving around looking at cars. Mullins said after they entered the cars, the perpetrators didn’t fully close the doors, leaving them ajar.

“We don’t have an exact number of what was taken,” he said.

Anyone who believes their vehicle may have been entered into illegally is asked to call the Danville 911 Dispatch Center at (859) 238-1220. Even if nothing was taken, Mullins said, it helps police learn more about where vehicles were targeted.

“Hopefully we can put a stop to it,” he said.

Anyone with information into the thefts is also asked to call the dispatch center.

Mullins said it’s important to remember to lock your vehicles and take all your valuables with you.

“Even if you’re just going to be a few minutes, that’s all the time they need to take something,” he said.