After a rash of car break-ins recently, there have been no reported car break-ins in Jefferson Park in the past month, Capt. Charles Pritchard of the East Point Police Department told Tuesday’s Jefferson Park Neighbors Association meeting.
That comes after nearly 18 around July and August, he said.
He couldn’t explain why the sudden stop, but it may have been helped by his arrest of a man in late September.
Pritchard said the suspect, who was riding a bike, was leaving the neighborhood early one morning near Harris Street and he followed him. Right in front of the police officer, the man attempted to break into a car.
Pritchard arrested the man, who had “tools of crimes” with him, including a pruning shears and a multi-tool pocket knife.
Pritchard said one arrest doesn’t explain the sudden drop, but it may have helped. Other steps by the police, including increased patrols late at night, may also have discouraged the crime. He encouraged people to be vigilant in locking car doors.
In other crime news, Pritchard reported two break-ins that happened around the same time on Oct. 7th where police made a few arrests thanks to neighbors looking out for each other.
Here’s what happened:
A woman spotted three men breaking into a neighbor’s home at 2728 Winburn Terrace. The woman went out to confront them and they ran away (Pritchard does not encourage confronting people. Call 9-1-1.) The woman then quickly called the authorities and two of the men were arrested. The third got away, but was identified.
Shortly afterwards, another resident spotted men coming out of a vacant home on Acadia Street. She called the police, but because officers were responding to the Winburn Terrace incident, officers were a few minutes delayed. The resident jumped in to a family car to follow the suspects until police officers could respond. Within a few moments, the police tracked down the cars with the suspects and the neighbor.Pritchard commend the women for being good neighbors and notifying the police. Without that action, the criminals would likely not have been arrested, he said.
However, he urged people that the best way to help police is to call the emergency number, not to confront thugs themselves.
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