KPD reports vehicle burglaries on the rise

Kilgore police officers are "aggressively investigating" seven vehicle burglaries that occurred on Thursday, June 25.

According to a news release from KPD Lt. Det. Roman Roberson, the burglaries occurred during the early morning hours, mostly in the eastern part of town in the Stone Road area, and they appear to be related.

In each case, the suspect or suspects broke windows to steal purses, GPS devices, cameras and other valuables.

KPD investigators offer the following tips for preventing your vehicle from being burglarized:

— Keep your car locked and preferably parked in a well lighted area at night.

— Do not leave any valuables in your car. If you have to leave valuables in the car, lock them in the trunk or hide them. A purse, satellite radio or GPS device left in your car, in plain view, simply invites the thieves to smash your window and steal the item. Roberson adds most of the recent vehicle burglaries were a direct result of leaving these type of items in the car.

— Record serial numbers of any of electronics and keep them stored in a safe place.

Roberson asks citizens to report any suspicious persons or activities to the KPD.

Anyone with any information regarding the parties responsible for these crimes should contact the case detective, David Falco, at 903-983-1559.

"If you wish to remain anonymous you may contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236- STOP," Roberson said.

Crimestoppers may pay up to $1,000 for any information which leads to the arrest of the persons responsible for these crimes, he said.