Wave of Vehicle Break-ins Hits Mississippi County

Authorities say a wave of vehicle burglaries appears to be intensifying in Lincoln County, Miss.

Brookhaven police and Lincoln County sheriff’s deputies tell The Daily Leader that the burglaries began Jan. 11 in the Zetus and Hilltop communities.

Initial reports included vehicle break-ins and mailbox vandalism in the area of Lucky Lane, Truly Trail, Lonesome Pine Trail and Oilfield Lane.

Since then, vehicle burglaries have been reported in other areas, including on South Jackson Street, South Church Street, Morningside Drive, Kraner Lane and Loyd Star Lane.

Sheriff Steve Rushing says it appears the suspects are going from vehicle to vehicle, looking for unlocked doors and taking whatever is inside.

Earlier this week, Brookhaven police responded to reports that more vehicles had been burglarized.

Investigators say the incidents are similar to earlier break-ins on South Jackson and South Church streets.

Rushing said information gathered in the Brookhaven investigation is aiding sheriff’s deputies in their investigation, but no suspects had yet been arrested.

“My investigators have been following up on some promising leads,” Rushing.

Brookhaven Police Chief Bobby Bell said arrests were made in late December after a series of home burglaries and thefts. Bell said police do not know whether there are links between the December incidents and the recent vehicle burglaries.

“We are looking into past thefts to look for any possible connection,” Bell said.

One victim of the recent burglaries, Nikki McClain, said police have stepped up patrols in her neighborhood, but she remains uneasy.

“I can’t sleep at night. We don’t feel safe anymore,” McClain said.

Among the items stolen from McClain were an iPad, cellphone and other electronics valued at about $2,200.

In the other vehicle break-ins, the thieves got hunting equipment, designer glasses, clothing, electronics and money.

“There are a lot of widows living alone in my neighborhood. I’m worried for them,” said Renee Naeger, a neighborhood captain with the Vernondale Neighborhood Watch Program. One of her neighbors was a victim of a vehicle burglary this past week.

“Keep doors locked. Look out for one another,” Naeger said.