Thieves targeting homes and cars in Oakfield and Alabama
There's been an increase in home burglaries and overnight vehicle break-ins in the Oakfield and Alabama area, according to Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster.
Some of the burglaries may be related and there is at least one person whom investigators suspect being involved in several -- but not all -- of the thefts.
Items ranging from jewelry and electronics to cars and motorcycles have been stolen during the spree.
"Business is kind of booming out that way," Brewster said.
In Alabama there's been a pair of daylight burglaries that investigators think are connected because of the type of items stolen, the similarity between the houses and the close proximity to each other.
Other burglaries include:
-- a garage on Drake Street, where a pipe wrench was stolen;
-- homes on Galloway Road and Fisher Road, both with televisions, cash and other items stolen;
-- a pair of dirt bike thefts on Oak Street and Cary Street in the Village of Oakfield;
-- a pick-up truck, also stolen in the village, on Mill Street;
-- and copper stripped and stolen from a home across from Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School on Route 63.
It's likely, Brewster said, that local thieves -- in addition to the one person already a person of interest -- is involved in these larcenies.
A local resident whose car was broken into over night called The Batavian and wondered why the Sheriff's Office isn't increasing patrols in the area.
Brewster said that approach isn't really productive. Unless a deputy is super familiar with a neighborhood, he might not spot cars or people who are out of place.
"That's why it's so important that people call us if they see something suspicious," Brewster said.
Brewster said if a resident sees an unfamiliar car drive down a street and drop somebody off, or if a garage door has been left open, for example, it's a good idea to call the Sheriff's Office (343-5000).
WBTA's Geoff Redick contributed to this report.
