Intruders are focusing on automobiles parked at the trailheads for Badger Mountain and Sweet Mountain in the Tri-Towns.
Wallets and purses with credit rating playing cards, hard cash, and IDs are amongst the most routinely stolen in the break-ins, stated Shyanne Palmus, Benton County’s communications coordinator.
“Windows are becoming damaged to get into automobiles, but we even now urge all people to make certain their cars are locked prior to hiking and to not depart valuables in your auto — no matter whether they are in plain sight or not,” claimed the news release.
In 1 modern situation, a sufferer obtained a fraud inform text just before reaching the summit of Candy Mountain due to the fact a thief experienced broken into a vehicle and was presently seeking to use the credit rating cards in Kennewick by the time the hiker could include 1 1/2 miles back to the great deal.
Benton County officials are discussing quite possibly escalating protection at the common hiking space lots, but no selections have been built at this time, she wrote.
“We have received various studies this week about split-ins at both Badger (Westgate trailhead, off of Dallas Highway) and Sweet Mountain, even though we know that we are not one of a kind in this — other companies and trailheads are experiencing identical nefarious pursuits,” reported the launch.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Business and the Richland Law enforcement Department are investigating different studies.
Stolen goods are not often in open look at, but are under the front seat, in the glove box or in the center console.
“We think that in several situations the perpetrators are hanging close to the parking plenty, stalking their targets,” explained the launch.
County officials are asking the community to report any suspicious activity at any local trailheads to 911, and to go away valuables at residence and make guaranteed to lock your automobile when mountaineering.