Rash of thefts plagues Libby
A rash of vehicle break-ins has police in Libby and Lincoln County stepping up patrols and requesting public assistance. Since May 1, more than 100 vehicle break-ins have been reported in Libby and the surrounding unincorporated areas of the county.
“We have a problem right now,” said Lincoln County Sheriff Sergeant Brandon Holzer. “It’s an epidemic. It isn’t just one individual, it’s more than one party.”
Holzer said the reports are coming in from different areas of the city and county on a nightly basis.
“One night it’s Woodway Park, the next it’s out on Farm To Market,” he said.
In response to the break-ins, Sheriff’s deputies and the Libby Police Department have stepped up their patrols and are asking area residents to notify law enforcement if they see anything amiss in their neighborhoods.
“We need people to make that call,” Holzer said. “Residents know who should and should not be in their neighborhoods. If you see someone who doesn’t belong walking around at midnight, please call the non-emergency number, 293-4112.”
Sergeant Terry Watson of the Libby Police Department said this latest rash of thefts is different from the ones that plagued the community earlier this year. The earlier thefts were crimes of opportunity, he said, thieves were opening unlocked cars and stealing cash and valuables.
“This one’s different,” Watson said. “They’re sticking to cash this time. If they see cash or wallets or purses, they’re getting into the cars. If the doors are locked, they’re breaking windows.”
Holzer said the calls in the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction are the same as those in the city.
“They’re stealing cash and wallets and purses, but we’re finding the wallets and purses nearby,” Holzer said. “They can’t move the merchandise or use the cards, so they’re sticking to the cash. After the last rash of thefts, people started locking up their cars and now it’s escalated.”
Holzer and Watson both indicated several suspects had been arrested so far, but all have been released on bond. Sheriff’s dispatch confirmed two tickets were written by Libby Police for theft from motor vehicles between May 1 and Aug. 25, as well as two more for criminal trespass to a motor vehicle. Two suspects were also arrested, one in July and one in August.
Holzer said other arrests have been made in the ongoing investigation, but some of the suspects aren’t arrested on the theft charges, they’re arrested for other offenses, mostly drugs.
“We suspect the majority of this is drug-related,” he said. “They’re stealing nickels and dimes out of cars to go buy a dime bag.”
In addition to vehicle patrols, Holzer said deputies are also patrolling neighborhoods on foot at night, but the two departments just don’t have the manpower to cover every street all night long.
“It’s easy for them to see headlights coming and get off the road and into the bushes,” he said. “We have guys out on foot patrol, which is also dangerous for us. That’s why we need people to be paying attention to what is happening in their neighborhoods. We can respond quickly, but we can’t be everywhere.”
Holzer said residents can take a few simple steps to help protect their property.
“First, if at all possible, park in a lighted area,” he said. “These guys don’t like the light. Get motion lights around your property if you can. Also, don’t leave cash or wallets visible in your car. If they see it, they’re going to use something handy to break the window and take it.”
Watson echoed the same advice.
“These are crimes of opportunity,” he said. “They’re taking a quick look and either moving on or breaking in. Don’t give them a reason to break your window.”