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Prospect police report uptick in thefts, scams and vehicle-related incidents; department urges precautions
Summary
At the March 17 council meeting, the police chief reported recent stolen vehicles, an increase in local thefts tied to unlocked garages and vehicles, and several scams targeting residents—including one loss of $40,000—and encouraged residents to lock garages and report suspicious activity.
ProspectPolice provided a report on public-safety trends during the March 17 council meeting, describing a string of thefts, a stolen vehicle incident, repeated reports of garage doors left open overnight, and a recent large scam loss affecting a resident.
The police chief said department training continued through the winter months and credited patrol efforts and Lake Watch volunteers for neighborhood coverage. He described two recent vehicle-related incidents, including a stolen vehicle where the suspect abandoned the car after confrontation and another case in which an unlocked vehicle led to removal of a firearm that lacked a serial number, complicating investigation.
The chief warned of an increase in reports involving unlocked garages and unattended key fobs and said officers have been leaving patrol notices in mailboxes when they find garage doors open late at night. He stressed that many incidents stem from unlocked vehicles and “laziness,” urging residents to secure property.
The department also recounted a recent scam in which a resident lost $40,000 after responding to a phishing-style scheme. The chief and council praised a recent community lecture on cybersecurity, fraud and scams presented by Lieutenant Colonel McKeon and a retired FBI agent; the recording will be made available on the city website.
Finally, the chief asked residents not to confront suspects and advised reporting suspicious activity promptly; he said officers aim to respond quickly and that residents should contact the department for welfare or fraud checks for vulnerable family members.
