Local police departments, particularly in western Franklin County, are warning residents about a series of vehicle and property thefts in their towns.
“We are urging residents to be diligent and to lock their vehicles even when parked in your driveway,” reads a post on the Ashfield Police Department’s Facebook Page.
Buckland Police Chief James Hicks said Buckland also received multiple reports of vehicle break-ins that followed a string of reports in a neighboring town. On Saturday morning, he said, about 10 residents reported their vehicles had been broken into overnight.
“What’s reported missing is loose change, less than $20,” Hicks said. “A wallet was taken out of one, which had IDs in it and a (sheriff’s) badge.”
He said the reports came primarily in the area of Route 112 and Clesson Brook Road.
“Some people said they noticed their glovebox and center console were rummaged through, but didn’t see anything missing,” Hicks added.
Likewise, the Hadley Police Department and Colrain Police Department also posted on Facebook a reminder to their residents to lock up vehicles that are left alone for any period of time.
The concern from area towns prompted the Whately Police Department to post a similar message, reminding residents to lock up their homes, sheds and vehicles.
“Sometimes in small towns people don’t think to lock their cars and houses,” said Whately Police Chief Jim Sevigne.
With the exception of a car alarm that went off late one night over the weekend, Sevigne said his department hasn’t received any reports of theft in town. Still, he wants to remind residents to lock up their property.
“It just seemed like there was enough stuff going around,” Sevigne said, “that it may be a specific group of people doing this.”
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263. Twitter: @MaryEByrne