Belpre break-ins under investigation
By JOLENE CRAIG, jcraig@newsandsentinel.comArticle Photos
BELPRE - Many city residents awoke Sunday to find their vehicle was one of more than 40 entered overnight, officials said Monday.
"There was a small rash of cars being entered and items stolen," police Chief Ed Clevenger said. "It was sporadic throughout the city."
The predominate areas of the thefts include Walnut Street and Rockland Avenue near Farson Street.
"We are not sure of how many cars were broken into, but it is far more than 20," Clevenger said.
Mayor Mike Lorentz was one of the victims. His Chrysler Sebring convertible was parked in the driveway of his Mary Street home where someone opened the door and removed items, he said.
"They took my keys and my coffee money, which was probably about $20," Lorentz said.
While Lorentz had left the keys to the car inside the vehicle, the car was not moved because it was blocked in the driveway by a locked truck.
"I do have to get the car rekeyed, but at least I still have it," he said.
Clevenger said the vehicles were all unlocked and none of them were entered by force.
"It seems that the suspects were looking for visible items that could be easily accessed," Clevenger said. "Most of the items taken were laying on seats or floors."
Police had no suspects Monday afternoon, but Clevenger said the department is looking into leads.
The incident is a reminder for people to lock car doors and not to leave valuable items in a vehicle, Clevenger said.
"I highly recommend for people to lock their doors and take your wallet or purse into the house with you," he said.
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AaronL
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07-03-09 2:23 PM
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Don't help a good boy/girl go bad, take the keys and lock the car. Karl Malden, circa 1970's.
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JCJCJC
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07-01-09 4:08 PM
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I don't think its the bad economy that is the reason this is happening. Be aware of what is going on around you. Drug use is sky high all around us. The thieves are probably addicted to meth and steal for drug money. Something must be done to stop the drug problem that exists all around us.
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littlenana
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06-30-09 10:11 PM
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A Mayor who is stupid enough to leave the car unlocked and keys in it. Does Barney work in his police department?
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singlemomof2
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06-30-09 7:12 PM
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I wonder myself how these things happen, then I move on to the next article and see that two women in their early twenties are at the bar while their 3 young children are home alone. Its 7pm, do you know where your children/parents are?
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canniballoe
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06-30-09 6:51 PM
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The cops were busy catching speeders out on the four lane....
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myopion
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06-30-09 6:37 PM
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Well Belpre used to have some good people, now the problem they have a couple who can not investigate and that has been proven in court so they better hire some more. Of course they do have a new Chief who seems on top of stuff, but there again he cant be out there 24 hours a day. Its sad that we cant fill safe in this little town, I mean its Belpre not Cleveland.
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YouNOitsme
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06-30-09 5:36 PM
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Mayberry will never catch them.. you know when our truck was broke into an the garage.. not one finger print was takin.. picture or anything.. Feel sorry for everyone who lost anything.
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mauser
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06-30-09 3:54 PM
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and with technology you dont have to have a gun to be armed, theres pepper spray and tasers now
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mauser
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06-30-09 3:53 PM
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try driving down 13th street in parkersburg after dark.... scary stuff. at least im armed. an armed citizen is a patriot, an unarmed citizen is a victim.
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ranger400
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06-30-09 12:55 PM
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Bottom line is, the greedy politicians and rich Maddoff types screwed this economy up. The workin stiff at the bottom are left to look for jobs, jobs that are gone.Over half the employees that work at Kraton chemical,dont even live in Belpre. We should start taxing out of town workers that work at Kraton.
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YouNOitsme
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06-30-09 10:12 AM
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I feel for all the people who lost stuff once again in Belpre.. We have had 2 breakins.. just this year alone.. Last time they stole our lawn mower. I mean come on... Belpre is not that big. Hard to imagin they wasn't seen pushing a lawn mower down the street..So that tells me that they are close to where we live.. Guess it's time to start watching our city!!
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Anastasia
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06-30-09 9:46 AM
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I cant believe he left his keys in the car. Our area isn't as safe as it once was! There was a time when you could leave your front door unlocked. I think that went wayside in the late80's early 90's.
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elviscole
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06-30-09 9:31 AM
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So being unemployed turns you into a thieving, cowardly, low-life hairbag? Uh, no. You are either a thief or you aren't.
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tigerlilly
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06-30-09 9:15 AM
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Not only the car break-ins, also someone stole $20,000 from a few of the Mall's stores---a good amount in underware from Victoria's Secret. I read 350 pairs. What is going on around here????
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ranger400
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06-30-09 8:47 AM
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The latest crime spree may be related to the unemployment rate we're experiencing here in the MOV.Where are the jobs? The employment office inParkersburg is very bysy everyday. I think it'll get worse, before it gets better. People just want to work, if they cant work, they can steal.Robberies will be next.
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mrlogic
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06-30-09 8:39 AM
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Where was the police? How long does it take to break into over 20 cars? Protect and serve?
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tigerlilly
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06-30-09 8:22 AM
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The crime rate in this messed up MOV is unreal. For a smaller town area, it is worse than larger cities per capita. I am newer to the area and I cannot believe the newspapers daily On The Record column. What is wrong with the people here?
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mythravere
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06-30-09 8:00 AM
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This is just common sense stuff these days. No one need be shamed but the people who left stuff out and left doors unlocked. I have cds in my car and I cover them up so no one can see them. It takes just seconds to secure your vehicle.
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