The arrival of spring brings warmer weather and longer days, but it also spawns an increase in suspicious activity every night with thieves preying on the unsuspecting and the unprotected. Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott has issued a warning this morning for businesses and residents alike to be vigilant in locking up property overnight and whenever things are unattended.
Abbott warns that the end of winter and improving weather has boosted illegal night time activity across the county and the region. He says several vehicles have been stolen and others have been broken into over the past couple of weeks, resulting in his cautionary alert reminding everyone to be mindful of their property, and to assure that homes, businesses and cars are all secured overnight to help deter criminal activity. He also strongly encourages keeping an exterior light on in the overnight and asks that any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your area be reported to be on the safe side.
Abbott also released a video from the Paw Paw/Mattawan area from around 1:15am today showing two believed-to-be young men attempting to get into a vehicle, which was locked. He’s asking the public’s help in identifying the individuals involved. Here’s the video:
Anyone with information can contact the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office at (269) 657-3101, Crime Stoppers 1-800-342-7867, Silent Observer (269) 343-2100 or your local Police Department.
