Sheriff's Department worried about rise in rural burglaries

March 9, 2012

Alarmed by the growing number of burglaries and vehicle prowlings in the rural areas of Spokane County, the sheriff's department asks residents to take additional precautions.
Burglaries and vehicle prowlings have increased 53 percent for the months of January and February 2012 as compared to 2011.
Detectives advise citizens to be more diligent in not leaving any items of value, or that look like they may be valuable, inside their vehicles. Several incidents have taken place in rural areas where the citizens have long driveways and leave their vehicle unlocked. With the increase in these incidents, detectives ask citizens to make sure their vehicles are locked regardless of what area of the county they reside.
There has been a huge surge in burglaries county-wide with jewelery as a very targeted item. Detectives suggest residents store their jewelry somewhere other than traditional places like a dresser drawer or jewelry box.
Photographs of all valuables are extremely helpful with identifying these items if they are located.
Citizens should also be skeptical if someone knocks on their door and gives an "off the wall" reason or explanation for being there. If this does happen, citizens are asked to provide as detailed a description of the individual as possible.
If they leave in a vehicle, the license plate number, type of vehicle, occupants and their descriptions are invaluable to investigators.