Chelsea Police Chief Ed Toth reminds residents about “crimes of opportunity” following a series of break-ins in the Heritage Point, Belser Estates and Chelsea Ridge neighborhoods on July 15-16.
He said there were 21 incidents of items taken from vehicles and a car was stolen.
From this week’s police blotter, on July 16 at about 6:30 a.m., police were called to the 300 block of Provincial Dr. for a report of a stolen vehicle.
The victim told police that the vehicle had been parked in the driveway the previous evening at around 9 p.m. but when she looked out the window the following morning, it was gone.
According to the police report, the vehicle was unlocked and the victim’s purse was inside.
The vehicle, a white 2012 Chevrolet Traverse, was entered into the computer system as stolen.
Police contacted OnStar and the system was able to track the vehicle’s location in Ypsilanti. It was remotely disabled until police could arrive.
With the help of Ypsilanti City Police, the vehicle was located parked along the road with no occupants. It was secured and transported back to the Chelsea Police Department for evidence and DNA processing.
The case remains open pending further investigation.
In every case, Toth said, the cars were not locked and items taken ranged from sunglasses to purses.
“Lock your homes and your cars and don’t leave valuables in sight,” he said, adding that although Chelsea was a safe community, residents need to do their part to keep themselves and their belongings safe.
He said Chelsea isn’t the only community affected by their crimes. He said similar incidents took place in Saline, Pittsfield and Ann Arbor townships.
He also suggested that residents consider surveillance cameras as a way to monitor what’s happening around a resident’s home. He said police were alerted to the situation at 3:13 a.m. when a resident saw a car dome light on.
According to the police blotter, on July 16-17 in the Chelsea Ridge, Belsar Estates, and Heritage Point Subdivisions, multiple unlocked cars were opened and rummaged through.
The incidents ranged from vehicles being entered and items being thrown around, loose change and other currency, a wallet and a purse was stolen.
Some items like identifications cards that were stolen or empty wallets or gym bags were recovered laying in nearby yards. These instances are believed to be connected with the stolen vehicle complaint and it is believed that the suspect(s) in question went door to door targeting vehicles.
City residents are urged to secure their vehicles and not leave any valuable items in their vehicle.
Anyone who observes suspicious activity or persons in the area are urged to call the Chelsea Police Department at 734-475-9122 x 3 immediately and report the incident so an officer can respond to investigate.
Also included in this week’s Chelsea Police blotter, credit card fraud was reported, medication was discovered missing and there was a malicious destruction of property reported. For the full stories, please click here.
