The Artesia Police Department is once again urging Artesians to lock their vehicle doors at night following another string of unfortunately simple auto burglaries over the weekend.
Between 5 and 11:50 a.m. Saturday, the APD responded to eight reports of burglary in the 1900-2200 blocks of West Ray Avenue, 1500-1600 blocks of West Briscoe Avenue, and 2500 block of Mann Avenue, the bulk of which involved unlocked vehicles.
The morning discoveries of burglaries likely committed late Friday evening or in the wee hours of Saturday included unlocked vehicles at 1908 W. Ray Ave., 2203 W. Ray Ave., 1606 W. Briscoe Ave., 1609 W. Briscoe Ave., and 2509 W. Mann Ave.
Included among the items stolen from those vehicles were an AR-15 rifle and a handgun.
Burglaries were also reported at 1902 W. Ray Ave., 1912 W. Ray Ave., and 1504 W. Briscoe Ave.
Thieves wishing to commit as many burglaries as possible without risking attracting attention simply choose a neighborhood and walk the sidewalks, trying the handles of vehicles along the way.
APD Cmdr. Lindell Smith continues to implore Artesians to take the basic precautions of locking their doors and removing all valuables from their vehicles once parked for the evening.
