MAUMELLE, Ark. — Police in Maumelle are asking homeowners to be on high alert. Officers said thieves are targeting neighborhoods to steal lawn equipment and other tools.
Detectives said during the summer those thefts become more common but this year they have received an unusually high number of reports.
“Right now, over the last few weeks, we’ve had a few more from garages than we’re typically used to,” Lieutenant Dustin Ivey with the Maumelle Police Department said.
“Usually they just go into someone’s garage that’s open, they take it and walk right back to their car or truck and walk off. That’s what we’re seeing,” Lt. Ivey said.
It’s a scenario Brad Williams, who’s lived in Maumelle for the past ten years, is all too familiar with.
“I left my garage door open and [it's] amazing what happens when you leave your garage door open,” Williams said.
He said that a few years back, he was the target of one of these thefts.
“My understanding was people were cruising the neighborhood and found an open garage door and went into my car and took stuff out of it,” Williams said.
Officers said if you’re not inside your garage, the door always needs to be closed even when you’re at home.
“Shut your garage, even if you’re mowing your front yard or when you go out back. Typically people leave their garage up. Just shut it while you’re around back and that eliminates the possibility,” Lt. Ivey said.
Williams said he learned that lesson the hard way but is now taking additional steps to secure his belongings.
“I have a doorbell cam and that kind of, I think, acts as a deterrent. If not, I’ll have good video of somebody coming onto my property,” Williams said.
Officers say if you see anything suspicious in your neighborhood, it’s always best to report it right away. That way, they can document it and keep records.