Rash of burglaries brings prevention tips

A Sunday night auto and business burglary spree in Walter Hill and Lascassas areas of Northeast Rutherford County again points up the need for citizens to review their security efforts, a detective supervisor said.

“We had a total of 11 reports for auto and business burglary reported Monday morning,” said Detective Sgt. Dan Goodwin. “Almost all the cars burgled had unlocked doors, and unlocked RVs at a gated storage company that was broken into had expensive items removed.”

• Purses, bags, cash, credit cards and gift cards were taken from cars at eight homes
• Three also had firearms totaling $1,100, one a collectible family heirloom with no serial number available
• One lady had everything of value in her unlocked taken, including a $6,800 EpiPen.

“Opportunistic burglars drive around our new and old subdivisions between midnight and dawn, checking if vehicles and buildings are unlocked,” Goodwin said. “Others steal in daylight looking for homes that appear unsecured and unoccupied.”

With Rutherford County about to eclipse the population of Hamilton County, many here believe we already have more than 350,000 residents now.

“About 3 percent of our society will steal anything they can from the rest of us,” he said. “That means there are probably about 11,000 thieves, most with drug habits, in this county.”

Nationwide, theft and burglary hits about 112 of every 1,000 homes, he said.

“You can increase your chances of not being victimized with a few simple measures,” the veteran detective says. “Some of them can help us catch the bad guys more frequently.”

• Lock and alarm your cars and all external home doors.
• Install or increase security lighting and leave it on all night.
• Invest in high quality security video system.
• Lock garages and outbuildings.
• Dogs are a great security measure.
• Record serial numbers for ATVs, farm equipment and tools, guns, high end optical, entertainment and other electronics.
• Heavy gun safes bolted to the floor can also secure cash, jewelry and other items.
• If you see suspicious persons or vehicles call the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 615-898-7770.
• Try to get license tag numbers.
• If you have any information about criminal activity, call the same number.