Fraser experiencing influx of vehicle-related thefts

FRASER — Over the past month, authorities say there has been an uptick in thefts of and from vehicles in Fraser.

According to Fraser Department of Public Safety Detective Sgt. Ben Hoppe, these crimes have occurred throughout the city but have mainly been in its south end.

In the statement, Hoppe detailed several recent thefts in Fraser.

On Aug. 6, Hoppe said several vehicles were entered and had items stolen south of Masonic Boulevard and just east of Hayes Road. One vehicle was stolen in the same area and was later recovered in Detroit. There isn’t any video evidence of the thefts. Fraser detectives were still investigating the incidents and had no suspects at press time.

Four days later, a vehicle was stolen near the intersection of Utica Road and Mulvey Road. Hoppe said that the vehicle was locked and was broken into by smashing a window. It had not been recovered at press time.

In a set of incidents on Aug. 16, items were stolen from vehicles in a neighborhood east of Groesbeck Highway and south of Masonic Boulevard. The incidents were caught on camera and show the suspects attempting to open vehicle doors parked on the street. They only stole items of value from unlocked vehicles, according to Hoppe. The suspects were dropped off by a vehicle that followed them during the spree. Detectives were investigating the incidents.

A resident caught four people on her surveillance camera attempting to break into her locked vehicle on Aug. 19. This was in the area west of Utica Road and south of Masonic Boulevard. In the same neighborhood, a resident captured video of a vehicle being stolen. The vehicle was later found in Detroit. Items were also taken from unlocked vehicles in the area. Like the Aug. 16 break-ins, the burglars had a vehicle follow them as they broke into vehicles.

Fraser Public Safety Director Samantha Kretzschmar has ordered officers to patrol subdivisions more frequently.

“The extra patrols have seemed to curb the thefts in the past week or so, so the extra patrols will continue,” Hoppe states.

In a statement, Kretzschmar recommends that residents lock their vehicles when parked and double-check to make sure they’re secured. She states that keys shouldn’t be left in an unoccupied vehicle.

While the recent thefts have thus far targeted only vehicles, she also recommends locking doors to homes. Exterior house lights should be used at night, according to Kretzschmar.

If residents see any suspicious activity, they are advised to call the Fraser Department of Public Safety through 911 or directly at (586) 777-6700. Video evidence of break-ins can be sent to Hoppe at hoppeb@fraserdps.com.