Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Thieves Target Turnpike Homes
Several individuals who reside along the Turnpike in Northern Lawrence County reported burglaries and thefts to law enforcement officials on Tuesday.
One victim, age 72,. told Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputies that she had been serving as a caregiver for her elderly aunt recently at her 1245 Turnpike residence in the Summertown area.
She indicated that she had begun staying with her aunt due to the fact that her medications had repeatedly “come up short.” Since she had been staying there, the victim said she has noticed that her own medications had begun to disappear, as well.
The victim was able to identify a possible suspect in the matter. She told deputies she would file a similar complaint with the Columbia Police Department because the meds were also stolen while she stayed with her aunt at a nursing home there.
She said she noticed medications missing at the home and inside the nursing home after particular family members came to visit.
A forty-four-year-old resident of 644 Turnpike reported to deputies that he had attempted to secure a garage door when he noticed pry marks on the door and facing.
He told deputies that he went inside to investigate further and was able to determine that several items of jewelry were missing. Class rings, a mother’s ring, wedding bands, and various other jewelry pieces were missing with a collective value of around $2,000.
A similar break-in was reported Tuesday at a home located at 752 Turnpike. There, the resident, age 72, reported someone had broken into his home via a bedroom window.
Deputies found that the culprit had pried open the window, dislodging a number of bricks. The individual then stepped upon the bricks in order to crawl through the window.
Inside, reports show the burglar made off with a .22 caliber Remington rifle, a single shot, 12 gauge, shotgun, and a variety of medications. Total loss was approximately $1,519.
All of the cases are currently under investigation by detectives with the department’s Criminal Investigation Division. Anyone who has information pertinent to the investigation is urged to contact the department at 762-3626.
