JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. — The Johnson County Sheriff's Office is reporting an increase in car break-ins in the White River Township area. They've had about two dozen break-ins over the last two weeks. Cars in Hickory Stick, Carefree North and Brentridge Estates were hit recently.
The thefts included purses, wallets, loose money and firearms. The department said many of the thefts were from cars where valuables were left out or the car was unlocked.
The sheriff does have surveillance video from several of the homes and is reviewing it to identify suspects. According to police, the individuals involved are often on foot.
"Essentially they have a flashlight and a backpack a lot of times, and they're looking inside cars. If they see something of value, they'll pull on the door and see if it opens," said Major Damian Katt, Investigations Commander with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.
"The suspects get in and out and get what they want and walk away. Sometimes they don't even shut the door because they're making less noise," Katt said.
Some of the thefts were smash-and-grabs, with windows broken when something of value was left in plain sight – like a weapon.
"The most alarming thing out of all of this is when these do occur, it's not uncommon for someone to have left a firearm in their vehicle. With as many shootings as we see in surrounding counties, in our own county? We shouldn't be making this easy for people to do," Katt said.
Areas recently hit by thieves include:
- 4000 block of Primerose Path, (Carefree North). Stolen purse found in yard. 11/28
- 330 block Western Blvd., Greenwood, Stolen multiple items, broken window. 12/05
- 4500 block Hickory Ridge Blvd., Greenwood, (Hickory Stick) Stolen License Plate 12/08
- 300 block Wakefield Trace, Greenwood, (Wakefield). Suspicious Person. 12/08
- 4600 block of Fox Moore Lane, Greenwood, (Brentridge). Stolen Firearm. 12/15
- 4800 block of Brentridge Place, Greenwood, (Brentridge). Stolen Wallet. 12/15
- 1900 block of Skyline Drive, Greenwood, (Mark II). Stolen Laptop. 12/15
- 3300 block Streamside Drive, Greenwood (Smokey Row Estates). Stolen mail from Mailbox. 12/15
- 2100 block Bodine Place, Greenwood, (Brentridge). Suspicious Person 12/16
Deputies are stepping up neighborhood patrols. The sheriff's office is reminding people to not leave valuables out in their cars and to lock their doors.
If you have security video that could help investigators or see something suspicious, call the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.