A string of what investigators believe to be connected burglaries has prompted Kanabec County Sheriff Steve Schulz to ask the public to remain vigilant and report any and all suspicious activity - regardless of how insignificant they may at first believe it to be.
Sheriff Schulz said at least eight day time burglaries over the last three weeks, generally taking place mid-week, have been reported all over Kanabec County. The crimes have taken place in several townships - including Hillman, Whited, Knife Lake and Brunswick.
Schulz said most of the burglarized residences were unoccupied and unlocked but believes investigators have figured out how the thieves are selecting their targets.
"Here's what they're going to do," Schulz said. "They're going to go up to a house, knock on a door, ask you for directions or a name that's not going to sound familiar and they're going to casually turn and leave. You probably just met a burglar, and your neighbor is going to get burglarized. That's what I want to stop."
Schulz hopes this predictable M.O. will be a triggering mechanism for residents who have had strangers show up at their homes asking such questions, and he urged those who have - particularly in rural parts of the county - to come forward with any information.
Perhaps the most puzzling piece to the crimes is the property being chosen for theft. Class rings, old wedding bands and cans of change have all been reported stolen while far more valuable goods lay just feet away.
"The normal rule of thumb is they'll go in and steal whatever they can carry," Schulz said. "If you have 20 guns, they're taking 20 guns. TV, VCR - that's all going. This time, they're walking by all of that."
All persons reporting information to the Kanabec County Sheriff's Office can do so anonymously and in a number of ways. Central dispatch can be reached at (320) 679-8400; tips can also be submitted online by visiting the sheriff's link at www.kanabeccounty.org.
Scary, looks like the Bush economics, the Trillion Dollar welfare Wall Street bailout, the Trillion dollar War is just going to increase these robberies, sure wish Kananbec county had jobs. Oh, well, theft insurance can help insurance agents.
If Mora had businesses that weren't rip offs people could afford to live here. GAS PRICES IN THIS TOWN are terrible. Prices at the grocery stores and Pamida are terrible. No wonder people who live here are broke. It's called a rut. Mora should let businesses in that offer better values for the people. They say, "shop locally". Who can afford to?
This indeed is scary... I don't think the prices have anything to do with this.. If you think about it this way you could go down to walmart and SAVE but than think of the gas your wasting to go there, than staying here and spending alittle more.. If Kanabec did have more jobs than this might not be happening as much.. I also agree that Bush needs to leave cause him and his croanies don't have anything else to offer...
Scumbags will be scumbags.
For you people to blame the theft on politics is absolute craziness.
There were plenty of thefts when fuel was cheap.
Who signed the bill that started all this mess. Wasn't Bush
It's not politics that make people commit crimes like this, it's called morals and values. They obviously lack the proper ones. There were plenty of burglaries when gas was $.99. These people choose to steal from others, they are forced to do nothing. Tons of people are struggling right now but choose to do all they can to make ends meet except commit crimes. I hope these people are found and punished appropriately.
you say it isnt cheaper to go to Walmart because of the price you pay for gas to get there...Well seeing how gas is 3.69 in MORA and 3.28 In Cambridge. Its well worth the trip! Mora needs to get with the times when the difference in price is .41 I think we need to boycot the gas stations in this town!!
"There were plenty of thefts when fuel was cheap. "
Agreed. Kanabec county as a Mn county is rated doesn't have a good track record for employment % and in the poverty index. Come to think of it, do you have the stats of gas theft when fuel was cheap vs. presently? I would bet the last 2 years were worse then the 2 years before that.
"mkastenbauer " makes a good point, this has nothing to do with politics. "Bonnie" when you say "Mora should let businesses in that offer better values for the people" are we to believe you think that someone is keeping these businesses out? By "Mora" do you mean the citizens of Mora? Or do you think there is some sort of local government or local business organization that has the power to veto businesses that offer good values from coming to town? Who precisely is it that you are blaming? And to my old friend "Strongest".. there is no such thing as a "Trillion dollar Wall Street welfare bailout" you made that up, the bailouts being proposed come nowhere near a trillion dollars, but it does sound good and alarm people...
Strongest, I read up on the federal goverment bailouts a little today, and although they still aren't near a trillion dollars, the total is getting up there higher every day, so who knows, by the time its all over, you may be right
Last year a we were robbed of property and fuel valued at over $1500.00. The man who did it lived across the street from us. In his room was found license tabs for our vehicles, clothes belonging to us (which I provided the sheriff with the receipts for) and checks. There were more than 3 witnessed who said they would testify that he bragged about stealing from us. We reported the theft to Kanabec County Sheriff and filed a report - we also gave them a complete list of what was stolen and the names and addresses of the witnesses. What did the sheriff do?? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! We learned the accused was back living in the area and called the sheriff to let them know so they could arrest him - I was told that there was no warrent and that the county had done nothing to follow up on our case. When I tried to get the to do something they ignored me. Since then we have had another theft of 2 motocross bikes - we reported this to the sheriff but I know better than to think they will do anything about it. I know they are overworked but who isn't???? We had proof of theft and great witnesses willing to put him away - since last year the theif has been charged with other crimes - stolen vehicle, assault, fleeing from a police officer..... the list goes on. I do not feel protected by the local law enforcement - I feel violated.
This is not a political issue. This is purely and simply those who steal want something for nothing and if you have something they want - they will take it. Prices for gold, silver and iron are at an all time high. TV's, DVD's, VCR's are easily traced. Wal-Mart is not the cheapest place to shop - their junk breaks easily so you have to replace it within a short period of time, I do not see that as savings. Spending money on gas to drive to Wal-Mart is not a good choice. The ten cents you saved on the item is doubled if not tripled in gas consumption.
A couple months ago my neighbor was physically assaulted (beaten) by an unidentified person. The incident happened on a rural road. Here's the point. A police report was filed with the Kanabec County Sheriff. Last week, the man was seen in the neighborhood and the victim was made aware of the criminal's residence. The police were called, so they could go arrest him. They said that a police report was never filed!!!! These creeps are taking over our area because they're getting away with crime. The public needs to know this is happening.