Vehicles At Trailheads Targeted In Latest Crime Wave In Douglas County
By Tom Mustin
LONE TREE, Colo. (CBS4) - Residents in Douglas County are on alert after the latest crime wave targeting their vehicles.
"Pretty shocking, yes," said Lone Tree resident Jessica McQueen.
McQueen is still stunned after both of her cars were broken into last Thursday night.
"Everything was kind of just thrown everywhere, you can tell they were in and out quickly," McQueen told CBS4's Tom Mustin.
In the past few weeks, dozens of cars have been targeted within a few mile radius, many still in the owners' driveway. Thursday night alone McQueen and several of her neighbors in the Acres Green neighborhood were hit. The crooks stole McQueen's check book and some clothing.
"They said upwards of 40 people and three cars were stolen that night as well," she said.
That same night, in nearby Stonegate, a home surveillance camera captured a man trying to open the door of a Jeep. He left after seeing the vehicle was locked. Another car nearby was broken into that same night.
"Anything from wedding rings left behind in the vehicle to purses and wallets," said Sgt. Lori Bronner with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
Bronner says the crooks initially went for unlocked cars, but they've changed their strategy. Now they're targeting trailheads and dog parks. They simply watch the person leave the vehicle, wait a few minutes, then strike.
"This person or persons is now proceeding to break out windows. They're seeing something of interest, then breaking out windows and making entry into the vehicle," Bronner said.
Signs at the Glen Arm Farm Open Space now warn dog owners like Anthony Townsend that the crooks are nearby.
"I find it astonishing that anyone could do this in broad daylight with everyone around," said Townsend.
And with no arrests made in this latest crime surge, victims like Gail Oquist have had enough.
"I wish they would have a little better thing to do in their lives than break into people's cars," she said.
Investigators believe several of the crimes are related and are the work of more than one person. They also are following several leads.
Anyone with information regarding the crimes is asked to call the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
Tom Mustin is CBS4's Weekend Anchor. He has been with CBS4 since 2002, and is always looking for great story ideas. Connect with Tom on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @TomCBS4.
