Counties on the lookout

A three-week rash of burglaries across Augusta and Rockbridge counties has driven homeowners into impromptu neighborhood watch groups.

Authorities are working leads together, but only Rockbridge has increased patrols as investigators pursue sprawling bandits who have busted into dozens of homes and cars, often taking jewelry and cash.

Augusta County crime reports since mid-January show thefts spread across Stuarts Draft, Lyndhurst and Sherando: a half-dozen thefts from parked cars, about as many reports of destroyed property and a handful of break-ins.

Some groups of neighbors told The News Virginian burglaries and attempted break-ins number closer to 30, but when items weren’t taken incidents went unreported.

“I’m feeling like I should have called,” said Wendy Potter, of Stuarts Draft, who heard “all kinds of stories” from neighbors before having a run-in of her own Feb. 20.

“I thought it was my boyfriend coming home,” she said of a jiggled door handle.

She flipped on a light, the handle stopped, then she saw a figure outside moving away with a flashlight.

“It’s very weird,” she said.

The largest reported thefts have occurred near Lyndhurst: Nearly $1,000 in rings went missing from a home, then more than $32,000 in jewelry from another, and most recently more than $2,400 in jewelry.

Neighbors are piecing together characteristics of the crimes: car break-ins preceded some home burglaries and many occurred at homes near large fields, where people were seen moving with flashlights.

Authorities in both counties were on the lookout Feb. 18 for a white, mid-sized car, possibly without hubcaps, believed to be carrying burglars from incidents in Vesuvius and Middlebrook, said Investigator Steve Funkhouser of the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office.

The burglaries — some committed during the day — are likely connected, said Capt. Dwight Wood of the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office.

“We’re actively investigating any information that we may have,” Wood said, explaining patrols have not increased because the crimes cover a large area.

“The public plays a big part in helping us solve these things,” he said.

Some neighbors described a vigilante style of neighborhood watch — leaving their lights out and making homes unoccupied to wait to catch burglars. Authorities recommend watching for suspicious vehicles and unknown people in the neighborhood, but ask residents to call for help instead of taking matters into their own hands.

“Circumstances are similar,” Funkhouser said of the a “rash” of break-ins, and could be attributed to desperation in tough economic times.

Yet some thefts perplex investigators who wonder why certain items are chosen by the burglars. In one case, a pack of paper towels went missing while a coin collection remained untouched.

Safety tips

Authorities in two counties are asking that anyone with information about home burglaries call their offices and pay extra attention to activity in neighborhoods. Lock homes and cars, authorities say.

Crime tip calls:
Augusta County Sheriff’s Office: 245-5333
Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office: 463-7328
Central Shenandoah CrimeStoppers: 800-322-2017