6 cities hit by same duo since end of July

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

Area police departments are warning residents to keep their car doors locked and valuables removed after a rash of vehicle break-ins across six cities in southwest Missouri since July 31.

Jackie Lowe, Purdy police chief also with Barry and Lawrence County Crimestoppers, said two men in grey or white hoodies, with their faces covered and  carrying backpacks, have been seen in multiple cities in the area, breaking into and stealing from vehicles with unlocked doors.

Lowe said the spree started in Mt. Vernon on July 31, where the pair broke into 20 vehicles. Multiple cars were hit in Aurora on Aug. 9, as well as in Billings on Aug. 22. On Aug. 24, Purdy had 15 reports of vehicle break-ins, and on Aug. 31, Cassville took 10 reports. The last activity believed to be perpetrated by the same pair was on Sept. 2, where about 20 vehicles were broken into in Sarcoxie.

In Purdy, Lowe said about $6,000 worth of property was stolen, including a Yamaha saxophone valued at $4,000.

Donnie Privett, Cassville police chief, said the 10 reports in Cassville were or 14 total vehicles, one of which was missing about $2,900 worth of power tools and high end sunglasses.

Break-ins in Cassville began on Harold and Mill streets, progressing northwest to Carole Street and Eagle Nest Lane. Privett said one witness saw two men in hoodies in the area around 1-1:30 a.m., but did not call it in.Video from a door camera on Carole Street captured the pair, but being nightvision and with hoodies and face coverings, Privett said the video does not give many clues as to the individuals’ identities.

“All it shows is two people wearing hoodies,” he said.

Privett said bank cards were also stolen, and in one case, the perpetrators took a pair of keys out of the ignition and let them in the vehicle. He also said more than 14 vehicles had been rummaged through, but reports were not taken for those where nothing was stolen.

“There’s no physical evidence of forced entry, so we believe most of the vehicles were unlocked,” Privett said. “So, make sure you lock your vehicles and at least make them work for it. Also, don’t leave anything of value in your vehicle.”

Lowe said video of the pair have come from Cassville, Purdy and Sarcoxie, but outside of the same description — hoodies, backpacks and face coverings — the videos do not give much to go on.

“These have happened around 2-4:30 a.m., and they are just checking the doors on cars,” he said. “All the cars broken into in Purdy had unlocked doors. 

“If you see someone in a hoodie with a backpack walking around in the early hours of the morning, they are probably up to no good. Call 9-1-1 and have an officer respond.”