Local ‘grinches’ at work stealing Christmas

Local ‘grinches’ at work stealing Christmas

Home burglaries in Edmondson have police looking for suspects

news@theeveningtimes.com

‘Tis the season to be on guard for burglars. Two Edmondson homes were broken into over the weekend and a cache of firearms stolen. Broken windows were used as entry points and the houses ransacked in both burglaries, one reported Friday evening and the other on Monday. T.V.s were taken and the grinches even swiped wrapped Christmas presents.

Crittenden County Sheriff Department Chief Investigator Todd Grooms said as many as three dozen total firearms were stolen in the two residential burglaries.

Ammunition was stolen at both scenes along with a dozen shotguns, another 12 sporting rifles including one AR-15, and at least eight handguns. Most of stolen guns were in display cabinets.

Grooms urged Edmondson residents to be on the look out for suspicious activity.

One of the home owners reported a suspicious man on the property a week earlier.

“We’ve got two houses hit in the same Edmondson area, and a lot of guns were stolen,” said Grooms.

No suspects have been apprehended and Grooms underlined vigilance as a watch word this holiday season, especially until theses cases are solved.

“I’m trying to make folks aware that this is happening,” said grooms. “These may not be the only two, so people being vigilant and calling us is crucial.”

Groom issued a reminder to all gun owners to keep guns secured and have an inventory of fire arms and electronics that includes make, model and serial numbers. Detailed lists help investigators identify and recover stolen items.

Stolen guns pose a significant risk to community safety. Stolen guns often head straight into the illegal underground market where they are sold, traded and used in violent crimes. Guns without serial numbers reported often become

untraceable for law enforcement.

“Guns are like gold, on the streets,” said Grooms. “The group of guns can be broken up and pieced out individually. It is quite the thing among criminals in the delta right now.”

The Sheriff Department asked for help identifying the suspects. Call Crittenden County Crime Stoppers and earn up to $2,000 in reward money for information leading to a felony arrest. Call anytime. All calls are confidential at (870) 732-4444.

By John Rech