Clarkesville police are warning residents and visitors to be extra vigilant following a recent rash of auto thefts, car break-ins, and burglaries.
In the past week, five vehicles have been stolen, at least six have been broken into, and two businesses have been burglarized, says Clarkesville Police Chief Brad Barrett. Some of the auto thefts occurred in the unincorporated areas around Clarkesville, but most of the crimes have been committed on the south side of town in the area stretching from East Louise Street to Robertson Loop Road.
Police have surveillance images of a possible suspect seen going through parking lots grabbing door handles in an apparent attempt to see what’s unlocked. The perpetrator is rummaging through vehicles and, if there’s a key, steals the car.
“This is not only cars. We’re having some businesses that have been broken into too,” says Barrett. “They’re looking for open doors. They’re not forcing entry at this point, but if they find a door ajar, they’re going in there and taking random things.”
Chief Barrett says most of the car break-ins have occurred in the general area around Ingles grocery store. He clarifies that none of the break-ins or thefts have occurred at the store, but a vehicle was broken into across the street at Dunkin’ Donuts on Wednesday. And that’s not the only incident that occurred Wednesday. Nearby Wilbanks Lumber was burglarized and a couple of vehicles were stolen from multiple residences.
Police have recovered several of the stolen vehicles.
“We’ve found them in various locations. One was abandoned near Habersham Mill road where he left one stolen car and then got into another stolen car from there,” Barrett says. Another vehicle had been dumped along a power line right of way off Robertson Loop Road.
While there’s been nothing to indicate that the suspect, or suspects, are violent, Barrett says a firearm was stolen from one vehicle parked outside a business.
“So, I assume he does have a weapon on him, but he’s not done anything to indicate that he would rob somebody,” Barrett says.
As word about these crimes spreads, police say some people are getting scared.
“We’ve been trying to give extra patrols in the areas where these events have taken place and are trying to beef up patrols in neighborhoods and apartment complexes,” the police chief says. Clarkesville police are also offering to escort business owners and employees who work late at night to their cars. Anyone needing an escort may call the non-emergency number for Habersham County Dispatch, 706-778-3911.
“We’ll be glad to come out, just be patient until we can get there because we do have to prioritize calls,” Barrett explains.
He also encourages the general public and residents to take precautions to avoid being targeted:
- Be vigilant. Watch for suspicious people or activity in your neighborhood.
- Lock your vehicles and don’t leave the keys in them, especially overnight.
- Use common sense and an abundance of caution. Keep your doors locked.
“If you do see something suspicious, call 911 immediately and give as much information as you can. Let us know as soon as you can so we can start canvassing that area,” urges Barrett.
If you have information about the man in the surveillance images, call county Dispatch at 706-778-3911.
This article has been updated to clarify that none of the car break-ins have occurred at Ingles grocery store but have occurred in the vicinity.
