News Release

Date 08/21/08

For Immediate Release: Springfield Police warn scooter riders to guard their property

The Springfield Police Department has identified a recent trend of scooter thefts, so many that the department is now asking scooter owners to be more cautious in the storage of their property.

There could be many reasons for most crime trends but police have found taking simple steps could have easily prevented most of the recent scooter thefts.

The police department is giving scooter owners some general thoughts to consider. First, to secure the scooter in a garage or other out-of-sight area of the general public. If no such areas are available, to consider bringing the scooter inside for the night. Second, to remember that prepared criminals can easily defeat chains or cables. Third, most scooters can be easily picked up and placed in the bed of a pickup truck for transport. Securing the scooter to itself does not adequately guard against theft.

Also, scooter owners should consider placing an identifying mark of some kind on their scooter. If it should happen to be stolen, police would then have a way to identify the scooter if found. Keep in mind the placement of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) would not necessarily serve this purpose as most VIN tags can be easily modified or removed.

See the attached document for a list of report numbers and addresses for the recent thefts along with the general location of the scooter on the property, general time of day and whether or not the scooter was secured.

Police encourage any witnesses with information regarding ongoing scooter thefts to call Sgt. Scott Kamykowski at 417-874-2130 or to make an anonymous report at Crime Stoppers (417-869-TIPS). If information given leads to an arrest, a cash award may be considered for the tipster.

Here are the report numbers and addresses for the recent scooter thefts along with the general location of the scooter on the property, general time of day and whether or not the scooter was secured and how. All of the thefts have occurred since 6/14/08:

08-26515 3520 W Sunshine: taken from parking lot during daylight hours, unsecured
08-27177 715 S Florence: taken from parking lot during daylight hours, secured with chain
08-27338 2954 N National: taken from parking lot during morning hours, unsecured
08-27439 1944 E Kerr: taken from apartment complex, unsecured
08-29194 821 S Campbell: taken from yard during morning hours, unsecured
08-29392 2232 N Main: taken from garage during morning hours, unsecured
08-29187 907 S Campbell: taken from yard, secured with chain
08-31444 506 E Monroe: taken from front yard during morning hours, unsecured
08-31649 1501 W Calhoun: taken from front yard during morning hours, unsecured
08-32481 1410 E Seminole: taken from parking lot yard during morning hours, unsecured
08-32709 2958 N National: taken from parking lot during evening hours, unsecured
08-32942 853 S Scenic: taken from yard, unsecured
08-34115 1300 E Elm: taken from parking lot during morning hours, unsecured
08-34508 4131 W Burbank: taken from front porch during morning hours, secured with chain
08-34742 722 E Glenwood: taken from yard during morning hours, secured with chain
08-35193 626 W Division: taken from front yard during morning hours, secured with cable
08-36427 1031 W State: taken from yard, unsecured
08-37066 822 N Lexington: taken from backyard, unsecured
08-37569 721 S Holland: taken from backyard during morning hours, secured with cable
08-37880 2526 E Pine Grove: taken from front yard, unsecured

SPD Case Number: Assorted

 

Media Contact: Public Information Officer Grant Story, phone 417-864-1702

Release authorized by: Lt. Bob Brown