Thieves are becoming more brazen in Lowell, and Police Chief Chris Hurst says people should be wary about keeping anything valuable in their cars. While locking your doors may have been enough to ward off criminals in the past, they have now started breaking windows to steal things of value that they can see in vehicles.
In total, the Lowell Police Department had 201 reports filed for December 2022, including the following:
- 33 assists to other agencies
- 33 pistol permits and sales
- 20 general and motorist assists
- 19 suspicious situations
- 14 traffic accidents
- 7 civil matters
- 6 ordinance violations
- 4 non-aggravated assaults
- 2 breaking and entering
- 2 larcenies
Lowell officers also made 26 traffic stops that resulted in 4 citations.
Groups of Thieves Targeting Apartment Complexes
It seems to be a problem across the region: groups of thieves targeting cars in apartment complex parking lots during the overnight hours. Both Pebble Beach and the apartments off Deborah Drive have been hit in Lowell.
According to footage obtained from a Ring security system, multiple vehicles enter a lot and the occupants fan out looking in windows and trying doors of parked vehicles. About 8-10 people seem to be involved in the thefts.
However, locked doors no longer seem to be a deterrent. The window of one vehicle in Lowell was broken, and it was stolen. Credit cards from the stolen vehicle were then used to buy gift cards at a location on Plainfield Ave., and the vehicle itself was later found abandoned in the Grand Rapids area.
Police say they have some names of potential suspects but haven’t yet been able to connect them to the crimes in Lowell.
Assault at Ripple
Police responded to reports of an altercation at Ripple restaurant on Main Street last month. Apparently, two neighbors were having a disagreement, and a third person became involved. That person was charged with assault.
Embezzlement at Recreational Marijuana Business
Detective Aubrey Culver is investigating a case of embezzlement at a local recreational marijuana business. The suspect is an employee, but no further information is available at this time.
Poaching Suspected Near Grand River
Two deer carcasses were found near Recreation Park and the Grand River. The heads and backstraps were removed, and the police suspect the animals were poached. Trail footage from a nearby property was reviewed, but no suspects were seen.
Bow hunting is allowed in the City of Lowell on 10-acre parcels with the written permission of the owner. The use of firearms is prohibited.
Breaking and Entering by Former Tenant
A former renter of property on N. Center Street has been charged with illegal entry. The person was evicted from the property and later broke in to retrieve possessions left behind. Hurst notes that anything left behind by a renter after vacating the premises is considered abandoned property.
Annual Training Awards Announced
Each year, members of the Lowell Police Department participate in a number of training sessions and exercises. At the conclusion of the year, the department’s best marksmen are named as well as an “ironman” who scores highest in a physical fitness test.
The 2022 winners were:
- Best in Pistol: Officer Mike Stephens
- Best in Rifle: Officer Mike Stephens
- Best at Night: Sergeant Gordy Lauren
- Top Shot: Sergeant Gordy Lauren
- Ironman: Detective Aubrey Culver
This is the third consecutive year that Det. Culver has taken the Ironman honor. She completed 60 push-ups in two minutes and 53 sit-ups in two minutes as well as ran a mile in 8 minutes and 47 seconds. Her numbers in each area were better than any other member of the force, regardless of age.
Leave a Reply