Wiregrass deputies step up patrols in wake of burglaries

Sheriff’s deputies from at least four different Wiregrass agencies recently increased patrols after more than two dozen burglaries were reported to the authorities.

At least a dozen burglaries have been reported to authorities from residents in the Wicksburg community, including three which were reported to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office on Monday. According to incident reports, six of the nearly 20 residential burglaries reported since Sept. 8 in Houston County were from the Wicksburg community. None of the residents have been at home during the burglaries.

Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson said he’s also seen an increase in reported residential burglaries over the past several weeks, especially along the Houston County line near Wicksburg. But he said a separate, likely unrelated, group of burglaries has also been reported near the Henry County line.

Henry County Sheriff William Maddox said deputies have responded to about 10 burglaries over the past two weeks.

“We’ve never had this kind of a rash of burglaries before,” Maddox said. “It seems like it’s just one right behind the other one. There’s been a drastic increase and it just seems to be getting worse.”

Geneva County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Tony Helms said deputies have also responded to an increase in burglaries, mostly located along the Houston County line. He said about seven or eight burglaries have been reported over the past month by residents with Hartford and Slocomb addresses.

“We’re increasing patrols and we’re trying to work these areas as often as possible,” Helms said. “We’re pulling men over from other duties to patrol that area.”

Authorities from all four agencies called electronics the most commonly stolen property. According to some of the Houston County incident reports, some of the other property taken included jewelry, rifles, furniture and money. Maddox called flat screen televisions the most commonly stolen item in Henry County.

Houston County Sheriff’s Capt. Antonio Gonzalez called the burglaries random because they have been reported across most of the county. According to incident reports, residents reported burglaries from Cottonwood and Gordon to Columbia and Newton over the past month.

“There’s no pattern or rhyme or reason,” Gonzalez said. “During the fall season and winter, burglaries pick up because money is an issue. There’s nobody that’s getting hit more than the other.”

Gonzalez said investigators with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office are actively working the burglaries, and checking with the other law enforcement agencies for any connections.

“It’s going to take a joint effort from all the law enforcement agencies to catch these guys,” Gonzalez said.

Maddox suggested residents make their home appear to be occupied, even when residents have left to go to church or other areas nearby. He suggested people leave a light on inside their home, have someone pick up the newspaper if they’re gone for the day, even for work, and if they’ve gone out of town have a friend or relative move any vehicles left behind at home.

“Don’t wait until someone suspicious leaves the neighborhood to call,” Maddox said. “Please call while it’s happening.”