Festus Police are investigating thefts from two unlocked vehicles and believe they have identified a vehicle used by suspects in the crimes. One of the thefts was from a car on Oak Drive and the other was from a pickup on Garbarino Street, Chief Tim Lewis said.
The thefts happened overnight between Sept. 10 and Sept. 11, and when officers canvassed the area, they found signs that other vehicles had been rifled through during the same period, although no other victims reported items missing. Video footage from various homes showed a suspicious vehicle in the area during that period, Lewis said.
“When officers looked at video, they observed a Kia Optima with Illinois plates in the neighborhood,” Lewis said. “Video from neighbors showed two subjects walking down Garbarino Street, then rummaging through cars.”
The suspects have not been identified, he said.
Lewis said Festus Police received a call at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 11 about a theft from a Chevrolet Impala in the 1800 block of Oak Drive. The victim, a 41-year-old man, said various items were taken stolen from the car.
“It was parked in front of his house,” Lewis said.
Lewis would not say what type of times were stolen from the Impala.
At 11:40 a.m., a 36-year-old woman reported a theft from a pickup in the 200 block of Garbarino Street. The woman said a handgun was missing from the truck, Lewis said.
“She said she and her husband had parked their 2019 GMC Sierra pickup in their driveway the night before,” Lewis said. “When they checked their vehicle, it had been gone through and a handgun had been taken.”
The gun was valued at about $600, Lewis said.
Lewis said no arrests had been made and none of the stolen items had been recovered as of Sept. 14.
He once again advised people to lock their vehicles.
“(Thieves) are looking for open doors,” Lewis said.
Anyone with information about the thefts or attempted thefts is urged to call Festus Police at 636-937-3646.