Arrests made in rash of nighttime thefts

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Nevada Daily Mail

Nevada police announced Wednesday that two men believed to be members of a theft ring responsible for numerous stealing cases from unlocked vehicles and burglaries committed in and around the city of Nevada are facing charges.

A recent investigation into the incidents led to the arrest of Kristopher D. Crawford, 18, of Nevada, and Edward L. Hallam, 30, of Nevada.

Both men have been charged in a Vernon County court in connection with these crimes.

Crawford is charged with one count of felony tampering with a motor vehicle and with misdemeanor stealing. Crawford's bond was set at $105,000.

Hallam also is charged with felony tampering with a motor vehicle and misdemeanor stealing; his bond also was set at $105,000.

The investigation is ongoing, and others are being sought.

Nevada Police Detective Sgt. Jeff Baker reported that information about possible suspects was developed with the aid of local concerned citizens, and a special investigative team was formed. This operation led to the recovery of property reported stolen in 10 recent thefts from unlocked autos.

Nevada Police Chief W. Graham Burnley encouraged citizens to contact the police if they have any information that would be helpful to combat crime such as thefts from cars or other property.

Property owners are encouraged to lock their cars when not in use. Most of these reported crimes occur during the night, when criminals troll through neighborhoods checking car doors to steal from those left unlocked.

Police also said there've been several incidents where victims have confronted criminals in the act of stealing and were allowed to escape with no notification to the police at that time. In many such incidents, the witness discovers later that their neighbors were victims of the same thieves.

For questions regarding crime prevention techniques or to start a Neighborhood Watch Program, contact the Nevada Police Department at (417) 448-2710.

To report criminal activities call 911 or use the Tip Hotline (417) 448-5117.

Any and all information will be kept confidential.

Comments

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This is 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why are people leaving their homes & cars unlocked?????????? I just don't understand it. It is difficult to feel sorry for anyone that doesn't "lock their doors".

-- Posted by 3DN74 on Thu, Feb 2, 2012, at 8:45 AM
Not locking your car doors at night? Mssrs. Hallam and Crawford send you their thanks. Consider it a charitable donation.

-- Posted by Samclemens on Thu, Feb 2, 2012, at 9:09 AM
How about a return to public stocks, and a few tomatoes and rotten cabbages? It is cheaper than feeding them for weeks and lets the community know who they are.

-- Posted by shigh on Thu, Feb 2, 2012, at 10:00 AM
Leaving doors unlocked at night -- reminds me of an old European proverb: "You don't leave food out for the wolf."

-- Posted by IcedGreenTea on Thu, Feb 2, 2012, at 10:07 AM
The local court system will just give them probation.

-- Posted by sam floor on Thu, Feb 2, 2012, at 12:46 PM
I agree with theoutsider...I have a neighbor and her husband who have tryed to run me down with their golf cart, use profanity at me, almost hit my golden on a leash all because I am walking down our private lane, which I have a right to do, called the sheriffs office they did send a deputy out who went down and talked to the two crazy folks but never talked to me...I did get a phone call from the deputy who told me there was nothing they could do for me....my question to the deputy was "if it was my husband you would have arrested him" but since it is a neighbor who is swearing at me and trying to run me off the road it is okay....Believe me I will not vote for any of the people in office now...

-- Posted by tobeornottobe on Thu, Feb 2, 2012, at 6:30 PM
You've just stated the reasons we left Nevada! It's still hard to believe how things are handled there.

-- Posted by justawife on Thu, Feb 2, 2012, at 10:54 PM
3DN74 on the practical side you are dead right, but to make that an acceptable resolution means you have surrendered to this as inevitable. For that to be just a sign of the times as portrayed by the date statement means we aren't moving forward, but regressing. So something is fundamentally wrong.

It is unfortunate that good people are plagued by those who would prey on trusting souls. Thankfully the police have done what they can to put this to a stop

-- Posted by USS_Missouri on Fri, Feb 3, 2012, at 8:05 PM
Im with shigh Bring back the stocks and a few other ol time remedies. Put shame back in the equation and see if families dont start policing their own offspring better. Why do we coddle when we should be paddling?

-- Posted by stepchild on Fri, Feb 3, 2012, at 10:23 PM
Check casenet. I know someone who has been convicted of 9 felonies since 2007. Always gets probation.

-- Posted by sam floor on Sat, Feb 4, 2012, at 1:09 PM
i believe u are absolutely right sam floor i know who u are talking about and its a shame that he only gets a slap on the wrist this system needs to wake up

-- Posted by HEREWEGOAGAIN10 on Sun, Feb 5, 2012, at 11:43 PM
IF WE HAD HARSHER PUNISHMENT, THERE WOULD BE LESS CRIME. ESPECIALLY IF THE PERSON IS A REPEAT OFFENDER. IT IS SO SAD WHAT OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS BECOME.

-- Posted by BORN&RAISEDNEVADAMO on Mon, Feb 6, 2012, at 10:02 AM
Pssh... Yeah sam, both these punks have a record a mile long. Vigilante justice is frowned upon these days but the thought is beginning to make me smile.

-- Posted by Mr. Chibbers on Mon, Feb 6, 2012, at 3:34 PM
So sad that we all have to lock up our belongings for fear of someone stealing them

-- Posted by littlefishinabigpond on Mon, Feb 6, 2012, at 3:46 PM
They have harsh punishment in communists countries and less crime then we proud AMERICANS.

-- Posted by vcbill on Tue, Feb 7, 2012, at 11:49 PM
Locks won't stop a person if they really want in. Just saying.

-- Posted by libero11 on Thu, Feb 9, 2012, at 9:24 AM
I agree with stiffer punishment. However, if we consider water-boarding torture for terrorists, how can we expect to punish our criminals in a harsh manner?

-- Posted by ThomasPaine on Mon, Feb 13, 2012, at 10:00 AM

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