Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – During the early morning hours in Mt. Juliet, it is obvious that grinches were on the loose breaking into unlocked vehicles while residents were asleep. The Mt. Juliet Police Department saw a spike in thefts from vehicles that occurred early this morning. Property was stolen from 8 cars that were unlocked. The suspects in each of these thefts took items that were readily carried away. Those items taken include: electronic devices, phones, music players, wallets, and laptops. The thefts primarily occurred in the neighborhoods of Willoughby Station, Willow Creek, Cedar Creek Townhomes, and Stone Hollow in Mt. Juliet.
Vehicle burglaries are crimes of opportunity. However, residents can minimize their chances of being a victim by taking a few simples steps:
- Keep all car doors and windows closed and locked
- Do not leave anything valuable inside your car
- Park your vehicle in an area that is visible to the public and well-lit at night
- If possible, park your car in the garage
It is also a good idea to keep a list of serial numbers, including the make and model, of commonly used electronic equipment that you may have. This helps in recovering the property haven’t it has been stolen.
If you see something that looks suspicious, call 9-1-1. Suspicious activity may include: A person looking into parked cars who may be looking for a car to steal or to see any valuables in plain view. The sound of breaking glass or a car alarm could mean a vehicle break-in is in-progress. Any vehicle without lights at night, cruising slowly, or following a course that seems aimless or repetitive is suspicious in any location because occupants may be “casing” for a burglary. Persons walking around a neighborhood and pulling on car door handles may be looking for unlocked vehicles to steal from.
Residents are encouraged to call 9-1-1 immediately about all suspicious activity that they may see. We need the community’s eyes and ears to assist with catching these criminals.
Anyone with any information on current investigations or ongoing crime trends is encouraged to call the Mt. Juliet Police Department at (615) 754-2550. Information can also be given anonymously by calling (615) 754-TIPS (8477) or via the Mt. Juliet Police Department website at http://www.mjpd.org/ .
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