Theft ring warning issued by sheriff’s office

A rash of thefts of items from unlocked vehicles and buildings have prompted the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department to issue a warning of a possible theft ring operating in this area.

The warning was issued last Wednesday in a news release, and says that residents in the Alton area should be especially vigilant in locking their vehicles, homes and outbuildings.

“Due to a rise in vehicle break-ins and information recently received, it is possible that we have a theft ring operating in our county,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release. What that information was could not yet be released, due to an ongoing investigation.

“Fortunately, these thieves are neither violent nor destructive,” it says in the news release. “They are thieves of opportunity, only getting into unlocked vehicles and picking up items sitting around. So far, nothing has been broken into.”

The sheriff’s office said that it’s stressing the warning for Alton residents because of an unusual amount of reports of stolen property in that area, including lawn and garden equipment and items from vehicles.

That doesn’t mean, though, that those in other areas of Anderson County should not be concerned.

“We are advising all residents to keep their vehicles locked when not in use and keep their equipment stored away and out buildings locked.”

E-mail Ben Carlson at bcarlson@theandersonnews.com.