Cape Girardeau police investigate string of thefts, asks public to lock vehicles and secure work sites

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI)— The Cape Girardeau Police Department is investigating a series of recent thefts, including stolen vehicles, and construction equipment, leading officials to remind residents to secure their belongings as summer time weather brings an increase in theft.

“With summer, we see longer days, more foot traffic, and unfortunately, more thefts from vehicles,” said Public Information Officer Bobby Newton. “People leave their cars unlocked, and suspects will walk down the street pulling on door handles to see what’s open.”

Newton discusses the dangers of leaving firearms and valuables inside vehicles. “We’ve had cases of guns being stolen from cars. It’s very important that if you carry a firearm, you take it with you and don’t leave it in your vehicle.”

The department has also reported a rise in thefts at construction sites. As new homes and developments continue across the city, tools and equipment left overnight have become targets for thieves.

“We’ve got a lot of construction going on,” Newton said. “Contractors often leave tools on site, and we’re seeing those being stolen from time to time.”

To help prevent thefts, the department recommends using lighting and mobile camera systems. “There are mobile cameras now that don’t have to be permanently installed. Contractors can monitor job sites from their phones using apps and remote access,” Newton said.

He also praised officers for routinely patrolling neighborhoods and job sites overnight but talked about how important it is to monitor your belongings.

“If you see someone lurking around a construction site at 3 a.m., it’s probably not a worker. Call us,” he joked. “If it turns out to be nothing, great. If not, we’ll address it.”

Newton urged the public to follow basic safety practices, lock vehicles, secure tools and valuables, and report suspicious activity.

“See something, say something,” he said. “That’s how we keep our neighborhoods safe.”

On May 13 around 12:30 p.m., officers responded to the 600 block of South Spring Street after a woman reported that a man stole a cell phone during a planned sale exchange. The suspect reportedly grabbed the phone and fled without paying.

Three separate thefts were reported on May 12. In one case, a victim reported about $4,000 worth of tools stolen from a jobsite on Baldwin Farms Drive, taken sometime between May 9 and May 12. That morning, another individual reported their vehicle stolen from the 800 block of South Kingshighway, where it had been parked since April 23. The vehicle keys were still in the owner’s possession.

Later that afternoon, officers were called to the 100 block of South Main Street, where approximately 45 feet of guttering was reportedly removed and stolen from a building.

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