Pistol, Ammo Stolen in String of Possibly Related Car Break-Ins

are investigating a string of possibly related vehicle burglaries that happen within a mile of one another in Frankfort Square, according to reports. 

Three of the burglaries occurred in the 20000 block of South Acorn Ridge, and the remaining two were in the 7700 blocks of West Grovewood Lane and West Ivy Court. The crimes took place between the night of Thursday, Sept. 23, and the early morning of Friday, Sept. 24, said sheriff's spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer.

Although there was no direct evidence at the crime scenes linking the burglaries, deputies are assuming they were related, Hoffmeyer said.

In the West Grovewood Lane incident, a .25-caliber Beretta, including the pistol's magazine and six rounds of ammunition were stolen from a vehicle. The owner said the gun, which was not loaded, was in the car's center console and that the doors were locked, Hoffmeyer said. However, deputies found no indication of forced entry, broken glass or damage to the car, she added.

A camera and GPS unit were stolen from the car parked on West Ivy Court. The front porch of the victim's house also was egged, the report said. 

An iPod Touch, a garage door opener, GPS units, keys and empty CD cases were among the items stolen in the South Acorn Ridge buglaries. The cars were unlocked in two of the cases. In another burglary, the victim found a pair of her shoes inside her car that had been by the front door inside her house, the report said. The victim said she must have mistakenly left her front door unlocked.

Deputies also received a report of someone breaking into an unlocked vehicle in the 7700 block of West Jefferson Court, but nothing was stolen.

Hoffmeyer said residents need to lock their vehicles, especially if they keep valuable electronics or other items in them overnight.

"These people aren't breaking windows getting into vehicles," she said. "They're left unlocked. ... The victims make it that much easier for them. If their car doors are locked (the criminals will) go to the next one."