Clarksville, TN – On May 6th, 2015, the Clarksville Police Department sent out a release on vacant home burglaries. CPD Criminal Investigations reports that multiple burglaries at vacant homes have recently been reported in Clarksville.
CPD encourages the owners or neighbors of vacant homes that are for sale, rent or being renovated to report suspicious activity.
Also, the suspects may appear that they belong to the homes by posing as individuals responsible for the upkeep of the homes, as moving companies, as individuals working for appliance companies, etc. The most popular items taken from these homes are appliances.
How can the public help?
Be extra vigilant to what is occurring in your neighborhood and report suspicious persons and/or suspicious activity to the CPD immediately.
Be mindful of the following:
- Call 9-1-1 immediately if you notice signs of forced entry.
- The suspect(s) may case out his potential target during the day and return when it is dark.
- The suspect(s) often gains entry through a back or side door of the vacant home.
- Once inside the property, the suspect(s) may utilize a flash light or head lamp so as not to turn on lights inside and you may observe beams of light coming from the property.
- Make note of the suspect’s description and vehicle license plate if you can do so safely, and share the information with police immediately by calling 9-1-1.
- If you are the current owner of a vacant home, we suggest you check the home on a regular basis and report any stolen items, talk to and get to know the neighbors, and always record names, brands, and serial numbers of appliances or any other item of value.
If anyone observes this type of suspicious activity in the area of a vacant home, call 911 for a CPD Officer to respond and initiate contact with the suspicious individual(s) to prevent a crime from occurring.
If anyone has information related to stolen appliances from vacant homes, please call 931.648.0656 or the CrimeStoppers TIPS Hotline at 931.645.TIPS (8477).
