Thief breaks into cars in base housing

Published Aug. 14, 2007
By Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Peterson police have caught the man believed responsible for several recent car break-ins in family housing.

On Aug. 9, 21st Space Wing Security Forces arrested a 22-year-old former Soldier who they suspect is responsible for breaking into roughly a dozen cars on base within the previous two weeks. The man was recently discharged from the Army and was staying as a guest in family housing here.

Security forces launched extra patrols in the housing area, and the Airmen's keen investigational skills brought the man to justice.

Because he is a civilian, the man and all the evidence from the case were turned over to Colorado Springs police, said Staff Sgt. Christopher Stenger, a security forces investigator.

"He had several priors," Sergeant Stenger said. "So, my guess is he won't be getting off easy."

Police had been patrolling the area around family housing since July 31, when four families reported car break-ins. Several more reports were filed in the days that followed.

The thief was hitting cars, mostly unlocked ones, during the late night and early morning hours. No cars were taken, but the thief stole items such as stereos, DVD and MP3 players, and wallets left in the vehicles.

Tech. Sgt. Stacy Oliver and her husband were among the first people to have their cars broken into. The thief took a DVD player out of Sergeant Oliver's car and a stereo out of her husband's. Both of the vehicles were unlocked at the time, Sergeant Oliver said.

"You know, you just assume that, because you're on base, you don't have to take the same precautions as everywhere else," she said. "We felt safe here."

It's a mistake Sergeant Oliver said she won't make again. Since the thefts, Sergeant Oliver and her husband have been locking their cars, leaving their porch light on at night and keeping an eye on their neighborhood, she said. They still feel safe in family housing, she said, but they realize now, even with gate security, they still have to be cautious.

"I still think it's better here than other places, but it happens everywhere and, unfortunately, it happened on our street," she said. "If nothing else, it has just made us pay attention more."

Senior Airman Michael Grady, who works in security forces, said people who live and work on base should continue to take smart safety precautions. The following tips can help keep vehicles safe:

- Lock the car. "An easy target is a better target for criminals," Airman Grady said. "If the car's locked, they may not bother with it at all."

- Do not leave valuables in the car. Remove stereo faces and wallets; if something is not removable, try to place it out of sight.

- Set the car alarm.

- Park in well-lit areas.

- Call Security Forces at 556-4000 if suspicious behavior is observed. Collect as much information as possible - how many people, where they are going - but do not try to approach or confront them.

"Peterson is a safe community," Sergeant Stenger said, "but residents should take the same routine precautions here as they would in other places, and lock their houses and cars. We still have patrols out - we take protecting base seriously."

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