Published: July 01, 2009 10:18 am      

Police: economy may be driving thefts

A saw, an air conditioner, and a tractor didn’t have much in common until Monday. That was when they were all reported stolen -- and became the latest on a long June list of stolen items in Chickasha.

The current economic malaise may be causing an increasing number of city thefts, Assistant Police Chief Elip Moore said. Police reported several thefts in various parts of the city Monday.

Police have arrested quite a few burglars in June, but tough economic conditions could continue to spearhead an uptick in thefts, Moore said.



Saw gone from Brandt’s

An employee from Brandt’s Hardware Store in Chickasha reported a valuable saw stolen Monday morning. The saw, a Stihl TS700 Cutquik Machine with a 14-inch blade, was valued at almost $1,350.

The store employee, Rodney Green, said workers check to see if products need to be restocked when the store opens. That’s how he knew the saw was gone.

Green said the saw was in the store Saturday morning, but was noted missing Monday morning, police reports show.

Green also said the store is generally closed on Sundays, and that the store’s security cameras are currently not working.



Air units missing

Chickasha Police Officer Tony Walker was called to 509 W. Florida Ave. on Monday afternoon in to investigate a break-in at some rental property.

Lawanna Williams, the property owner, told Walker that when she arrived at the property to clean, two window air conditioner units valued at $800 each were missing. Also missing were a set of golf clubs, a microwave and a personal computer.

The total value of missing items was about $2,150.

The air conditioners were last seen in the house on June 29 by a neighbor, and the rest of the items were last seen on June 27, according to police reports.

Williams said the back door was open when she arrived, but the only marks on the door jam were from a previous burglary. Entry was likely made through the southeast rear window, according to reports.

Williams told Walker her niece was the last person to rent the property, but the house had been empty for about two months. According to police records, there were still valuable items in the house after the thefts.



Oh, my Deere

Walker was also called to Watson’s Mobile Home Park late Monday afternoon to investigate another burglary.

Resident Jennifer Ibsen told Walker her Power Wheels John Deere tractor, the tractor’s charger, and a motorized Razr scooter were missing from her shed.

Ibsen said the items were last seen June 22. They were noticed missing June 26 in the afternoon.



The tractor was recovered, but the other items are still missing.

Ibsen told Walker her shed door was already broken and could provide an easy access for anyone to enter without having to use much force.

The total value of both missing and recovered items was about $520.