Published: January 07, 2009 12:17 am         

City sees spike in holiday thefts

TERRE HAUTE — Those aren’t Santa’s footprints on the rooftop or reindeer in the getaway car, but holiday-related thefts have some thankful the season is ending.

“It’s one of those unfortunate things that during the holidays they escalate,” said Detective Sgt. Bob Abbinett of the Terre Haute Police Department.

Abbinett is investigating a number of citywide recent break-ins and burglaries and noted that “there are certain areas being hit.”

The city’s northeast side, the Avenues, Collett Park and homes within the 200 and 300 block south of Wabash Avenue around 25th Street seem to have been targeted in a recent string of thefts, he said.

Abbinett said one arrest was made Tuesday in connection with some of the northside burglaries, noting it’s part of an ongoing investigation and other suspects were being sought.

Monte King, 18, remained in the Vigo County Jail on Tuesday evening without bail on allegations of receiving stolen property and residential entry. He goes to court Friday.

Abbinett said while crimes within a particular neighborhood might be connected, there are a number of areas being victimized right now.

“If you get a certain area that’s being hit, then yeah, it’s probably related,” he said, explaining that criminals don’t normally strike homes on the other side of town from where they operate.

Abbinett mentioned one night last week when three garages in Terre Town were burglarized, noting they are most likely related. All are being investigated.

But overall, thefts and burglaries fluctuate with the holidays.

“This is seasonal,” he said, pointing to Christmas and the New Year.

And while that might seem comforting to some, the 28-year police veteran noted “for the people who’ve had their houses broken into, it’s not.”

Abbinett said people in Collett Park and neighborhoods near 22nd Street and Ohio Boulevard might not be accustomed to crime, and residents need to remember to report suspicious activity to police when it occurs.

To do so, call the department at (812) 238-1661.