Rash of thefts strike Polson

Mike Cast, Leader Staff

There were a series of burglaries in Polson last week. Three businesses and six residences have been targeted. Money and pawable equipment such as jewelry and electronics, including computers, were among the items that were stolen, according on to Polson Chief of Police Doug Chase. The residential burglaries took place mainly in the Woodbine addition and the top of the Skyline Area during the day and all the businesses were in downtown Polson and burglarized at night.

The businesses were entered with a heavy metal object while the residences were entered through unlocked doors and windows.

Burglaries sometimes take months to clear up, and sometimes it takes a careless criminal to make a mistake like going to a marked pawn shop, said Chase. He also said the police have their leads.

"We are now investigating information on several suspects we have in hopes that we'll be able to bring them in and talk to them," Chase said. "We have just enough to believe we know who's doing it but not enough to proceed."

Chase believes that the burglaries may have been committed by someone supporting a drug habit based on police information including the items were stolen.

He asks for the participation of Polson citizens.

"We also encourage the public to call 9-1-1. So many people think they're bothering us. Just call us. Daytime, nighttime, that's what we're here for so we can come to the area and check," Chase said.

People can also protect themselves with the most simple precaution.

"Please, we go through this several times a year, lock the doors of your homes and vehicles," Chase said. "And they go by the ones that are locked; it's much easier to open the door of the unlocked ones."

One of the businesses that was burglarized was American Eye Car on the Third Avenue West. The manager, Tracy Korodi, remembers to walking in on Oct. 13.

"I noticed my deposit bag on the floor," she said. "My husband said, 'Hey babe you got robbed,'"

105 dollars cash was stolen. Now the business won't keep any money inside the premises at night.

"I felt kind of violated," Korodi said. " It's kind of scary knowing someone could break in."

Chase says that the police hope to have more information by the middle of next week.