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Nov. 18, 2000 By Janelle Holden
With the official holiday shopping season almost upon us, consumers not only have to worry about inflated prices, but also a rash of petty thefts in the area. "Sometimes right before Christmas or right before the holidays you’ll get more thefts or more petty thefts, less than maybe $1000, from people who were maybe trying to get some money together before the holidays," said Detective Kalvin Boggs, spokesman for the Montezuma County Sheriff Department. Boggs said that the department is in the middle of installing a new computer system, which will eventually help track the rate of crime during the year. During the first half of November, a $200 television antenna, three $500 mountain bikes, and two stereo systems were stolen out of automobiles in the county. In one case, the television antenna was stolen while the owner was away hunting. The three mountain bikes were left unattended in a yard in Mancos, and one of the cars was unlocked when the stereo system was stolen. Boggs said that these type of thefts are extremely difficult to trace back to the perpetrator. "Normally they’re real quick about what they do and they don’t leave a whole lot of evidence behind when they do this," said Boggs. In addition, thieves will usually take items that are easily pawned, and take them out of state because they know the police check local pawn shops for stolen items. Boggs recommends purchasing a car alarm to help fend off would-be thieves from automobiles. "It’s not going to stop somebody— it just means that somebody’s going to know about it shortly after they get into it," explained Boggs. "We recommend doing everything you can to protect yourself and your belongings."
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