Theft from vehicles spree shows no signs of slowing down

The three hits on Wednesday occurred within 20 minutes of each other beginning around 6:40 a.m., while the four on Thursday were hit over a roughly three-hour stretch beginning around 5:50 a.m. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - The recent spree of thefts from unattended and unlocked cars continued Wednesday and Thursday with three more such incidents on Wednesday and four more on Thursday, all in the morning hours.

On Wednesday two cars were broken into outside Salmon Falls Road residences and another on nearby Blair Drive inside Tara Estates. In two of the incidents, the vehicles of both husband and wife were ransacked. Tools, cash and other items were stolen, the victims told police.

Then on Thursday, four more vehicles were hit, two on Olde Farm Lane and another on nearby McKinley Street. Also hit was a vehicle on Woodman Street in the Charles Street neighborhood.

The three hits on Wednesday occurred within 20 minutes of each other beginning around 6:40 a.m., while the four on Thursday were hit over a roughly three-hour stretch beginning around 5:50 a.m.

Rochester Police first alerted the public to the crime spree on Tuesday, detailing several incidents on Sunday and Monday overnights.

Police are urging the public to make sure they lock their cars, pointing to local crime statistics that show 90 percent of the vehicles broken into are unlocked.

Police theorize thieves don't want to alert homeowners by smashing a car window to grab the goods.

Police say other safeguards against break-ins include parking your vehicles in a garage or driveway, using exterior residential lights and motion detectors and installing surveillance cameras.

Offenders are subject to anywhere from a Class B misdemeanor to a felony depending on the value of property stolen and their criminal history.

Residents are urged to report any suspicious behavior to the Rochester Police Department during the overnight hours by calling (603) 330-7127. Tips can be reported anonymously by calling the Rochester CrimeLine at (603) 335-6500 or by texting tips to CRIMES (274637) with TEXT4CASH in the body of the text. Up to $1,000 is awarded for tips that lead to an arrest.