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Three Arrested in Recent Vehicle Break-Ins

Battling an increase in motor vehicle thefts and break-ins, Madison Police have made several arrests in a recent rash of vehicle break-ins.

Officers from the Madison Police Department (MPD) have arrested three juveniles for unlawful entry of a motor vehicle during the overnight hours of Nov. 22. According to Lieutenant Jeremy Yorke, a spokesperson for MPD, it is currently unknown if the recent arrests are related to additional area crimes.

Yorke said that, since 2020, the department has investigated 65 reported stolen motor vehicles and 141 thefts from motor vehicles. Area residents have been vigilant in reporting thefts and alerting their neighbors, according to police, and the cooperation of residents and other local agencies was critical in these recent arrests.

“Upon receiving reports from local law enforcement agencies of suspicious vehicles in the area, officers from the Madison Police Department swiftly mobilized to the scene, implementing an effective operation that led to the apprehension of the offenders. The Madison Police Department commends the cooperation of local law enforcement agencies with the apprehension of the offenders,” Yorke said in a statement issued by the department.

With the increase in motor vehicle-related crime, police urge residents to lock their vehicles and leave nothing of value inside. Yorke said that vehicle break-ins are a crime of opportunity, and residents can best negate that opportunity by taking the most simple of steps: lock vehicle doors.

“In light of these recent incidents, it is imperative that residents take proactive measures to safeguard their belongings and secure all personal property on their premises. The Madison Police Department strongly advises community members to lock their vehicles and ensure no valuables are left in plain sight. By adopting these simple yet crucial precautions residents can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these opportunistic crimes,” Yorke said.

Despite the arrests, MPD urges residents to remain vigilant, emphasizing the need for community involvement in reporting and preventing crimes.

“The Madison Police Department remains committed to the safety and security of our community, and we will continue to employ all available resources to prevent such incidents from recurring,” Yorke said in a statement. “We urge residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious behavior.”