Unusual number of cars ransacked

About 20 cars were ransacked over the weekend in southwest Columbia near Scott Boulevard, according to the Boone County Sheriff’s Department.

Sgt. Mike Stubbs said some of the victims reported that items were missing, including electronic equipment, compact discs and cash.

Deputies also recovered a sport utility vehicle from Bellview Drive that was stolen from Crestview Drive. The keys were in the ignition at the time of the theft, according to a Sheriff’s Department news release.

“We typically will get cars that have been gone through or stuff stolen from cars periodically,” Stubbs said. “But this kind of activity in this one particular area — all those (incidents) popping up over a short period of time — that’s an unusual pattern.”

All but one of the cars broken into were parked on the street or in an open garage with the keys in the ignition or the doors unlocked, Stubbs said.

“Something that we try to preach is: Don’t leave the ignition key in the vehicle, lock your vehicle, don’t leave your items of value laying in plain sight, those are all things that these thieves look for,” Detective Tom O’Sullivan said.

The Sheriff’s Department recovered some property, such as CDs and a purse, along Georgetown Drive and in a large metal trash bin at Coastal Electric on South Scott Boulevard, but they were unable to identify the owners.

Anyone with information about the crimes is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Department at 875-1111 or CrimeStoppers at 314-875-TIPS.