Thieves Also Work Their Way Into Locked Autos

Though in Port Washington and Saukville this summer, police have also responded to some “smash-and-grab” incidents.

For instance, on June 24 police responded to after receiving calls about broken windows and missing purses. In both cars, it was the passenger rear window that had been broken out while the women sat watching their children play on Possibility Playground. The calls came in at 10:35 a.m., and the women said they arrived at the park at 10 a.m.

While Port police were on the scene of this case, a report of a similar window-smash and purse-grab theft came in from the Grafton Police Department.

Stolen from the women in Upper Lake Park were: a wallet and purse valued at $70; $10 in cash; cards for Harris Bank, Capitol One, Boston Store, Kohl’s, American Express and Johnson Bank Visa; a brown and yellow Orla Kiely purse and wallet, which also had flowers on its design and a value of $400; Oliver Peoples sunglasses valued at $150; and $100 cash.

Saukville police recovered the two purses after employees at a hair salon in the village found them behind Dumpster; despite that, no suspects have been identified.

Another theft that did not fit the "unlocked" pattern has left police stumped for more than just that reason.

The theft, which cost the victim more than $1,150 in losses, occurred between Aug. 4 and 5 at 404 N. Harrison St., Port Washington.

The 26-year-old man said he had locked his vehicle overnight, but the windows to his 1999 Dodge truck were left cracked — a move that allowed the thief to maneuver the locks and enter his vehicle.

But that's not where the differences in this theft end.

According to the police report, tools were used to peel the dashboard off in order to unplug and remove the truck's stereo. The victim also had $800 in cash in a bank envelope — meant to pay for rent, he told police — stored in his center console.

The thief took the money, along with a book containing an unknown number of CDs.