The Jefferson City Police Department has recently seen an increase in thefts. As the holiday shopping season begins, officers are asking residents to pay more attention to securing firearms and other valuables, especially when leaving them in vehicles.
Jefferson City Police Department Spokesman Lt. David Williams said no forced entry has been reported in any of the vehicles where items were taken.
Williams said a large amount of firearms has been taken in the thefts. In the past several months, the department has investigated 20 reports of guns stolen from vehicles (24 guns total), 12 reports where a gun was stolen from a residence (16 guns total), two thefts from open public areas and one from a business.
"Along with the thefts from motor vehicles, we have seen an increase in the thefts of motor vehicles," Williams said. "In the last week, we have investigated reports of unlocked motor vehicles being taken from residences."
In the most recent incident reported Monday morning, Williams said the owner was awakened by the sound of the vehicle leaving. In that case, officers located the vehicle within moments. After a short pursuit, a juvenile was taken into custody. The juvenile suspect failed to follow the orders of the pursuing officers and was subdued with the use of a Taser.
"As the holiday shopping season begins, we urge citizens to never leave valuables in the open in your car, even if locked," Williams said. "We need your help to fight crime, so make it harder for thieves to get your valuables."