Cheney vehicles targeted in theft waves

Cheney police are investigating a rash of thefts from motor vehicles that struck two residential areas in the city this past week.

Between Nov. 19 – 22, 19 incidents of third-degree theft and one second-degree theft were reported, most taking place from vehicles parked outside homes in the Ridgeview-Skyview-Gary area north of Salnave Elementary School and Salnave Park as well as the Avalon Place development and Eagle Ridge Apartment complex along Betz Road. Nine vehicles alone were struck on Nov. 22 on Lineum Court, just north of Salnave Park.

“Most of these were unlocked vehicles,” Cheney Police Chief John Hensley said. “They left property in their cars. One left a handgun in the car.”

Items taken from the vehicles included backpacks, textbooks iPods and laptops, along with gift cards and currency. A handgun and holster were taken from a vehicle in the 500 block of Princeton Lane, and a rifle was taken from a vehicle in the 2600 block of Eton Lane, but was subsequently recovered the same day.

Using a dollar breakdown of $750 or less for third-degree theft, and $751 — $2,000 for second-degree, the estimated maximum total of the four-day crime spree could top $16,000. Cheney Police Cmdr. Rick Campbell said theft of a firearm constitutes a felony and is at least a second-degree theft, and if it can be determined the thefts are the work of several individuals on different days could result in multiple first-degree theft charges once they are apprehended.

“They would be aggregate because it’s a common scheme,” Campbell said.

The theft spree transforms November into the top month for thefts in 2014 at 31, with seven days remaining. According to the department’s October Monthly Accountability Report, the previous high was October with 27, followed by May with 24 and March with 23.

Hensley said they have some investigative leads tying the sprees to several individuals. He added that it’s always wise to not leave items in vehicles, and especially during the upcoming holiday season, thereby creating greater opportunity.

“You need to help yourself by locking up and not leaving stuff,” he said.

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].