Business Burglaries Surge

DAYTON - The number of reported burglaries continues to climb in Columbia County, but the sheriff's office is making some arrests and ramping up patrols, hoping the total of 39 reported residential and commercial burglaries since January doesn't climb higher.

With the recent string of burglaries reported in the county, the sheriff's office has arrested six individuals on suspicion of burglary.

The three most recent arrests were of 15- and 16-yearold juveniles taken into custody on suspicion of burglarizing Fiesta En Jalisco on Main Street in Dayton early in the morning on May 25. Twenty-four-year-old Billy Joe Cook Jr. was arrested on a warrant May 23 and charged with three counts of theft and three counts of burglary.

Earlier this year, 42-yearold Glen E. Dennison, 27-year-old Eric R. VanZandt and 34-year-old Daniel L. Baxter were also arrested on suspicion of burglary. Dennison was sentenced to 51 months in prison in April and VanZandt's charges were dropped. Baxter, Cook and the two juveniles are still in court proceedings.

The struggling economy plays a major factor in the burglary rate spike, according to Columbia County Sheriff Walt Hessler.

Fiesta En Jalisco restaurant owner Adrian Martinez said his restaurant has been robbed before, about a year ago. The recent robbery involved stolen liquor. Martinez and the police report said the two juveniles gained access to the restaurant's liquor through a window.

So far in 2012, there have been 18 reported commercial burglaries in Columbia County and 21 residential burglaries.

Commercial burglaries already surpass 2011's number and the residential burglaries are getting closer. In all of 2011, there were 13 reported commercial burglaries and 36 residential burglaries in the county.

In 2010, there were 14 commercial burglaries and 42 residential burglaries.

"The economy is going to cause the burglary instances to increase," Hessler said. "The people committing these crimes are looking for an easy dollar."

Until the economy turns around, there will undoubtedly be a continued increase in burglaries, so it is important for residents to take measures to protect themselves, he said.

"A lot of these are crimes of opportunity," Hessler added.

Dark retail stores with covered windows are easy targets, he said, because passers-by can't see what might be going on inside if a crime is in progress. Taking down window coverings could make stores more secure. These measures may help prevent the hassles of recovering after a burglary.

"Insurance takes care of the things they took, but it's more expensive to replace the window they broke than the things they took," Martinez said.

Martinez said the surveillance camera in his restaurant helped catch those who have burgled his restaurant. He also said he is pleased with how helpful the sheriff's office has been in responding and working with him.

"They have been there, keeping us informed of everything they find," Martinez said.

But Hessler hopes to not simply be reactive. The sheriff's office patrols are ramping up to help reduce the number of burglaries, Hessler said. The deputies are more diligent in stopping people who are out late or acting suspiciously to make sure all activities are legal. It is important for community members to be accountable for their property and do their part by taking some simple steps to help discourage burglaries in their homes and businesses, he said. Hessler advised business owners to leave lights on and homeowners lock their doors and windows and close the blinds.

Public Information Officer Dian McClurg said if people outside a home can't see anything they want to steal, they are less likely to break into the house. The sheriff's department is still working to solve the outstanding burglary cases. They are currently reviewing tapes and taking fingerprints on a recent unsolved burglary to hopefully identify suspects.

"We think we have identified the people, we just don't have them in custody here at this time," Hessler said. He reminded residents to be neighborly and call the sheriff's department to report any suspicious activity they may observe during the event, not after the fact.

What You Can Do:

Lock your doors and windows.

Consider installing video cameras and/or a

security system.

Keep your premises well lit. Consider additional

lights both indoors and outdoors.

Don't leave your keys in your vehicle.

Don't leave cash or valuable items readily

available.

Keep prescriptions out of sight and in a secure

location.

Notify the sheriff's office when you plan on being out

of town for any extended length of time.

Look out for suspicious activity and report it

immediately.

If you return and find the premises disturbed,

windows or doors open that had been left closed

and/or locked -- Don't touch anything, leave the

building and call the sheriff's office immediately.

Columbia County Burglaries By The Numbers

2012 Burglaries in Columbia County

(Jan 1 - June 7)

Commercial Burglaries - 18 total reported

- 11 inside Dayton city limits

- 4 in rural Columbia County

- 3 in the Starbuck area

Residential Burglaries - 21 total reported

(3 determined to be unfounded)

-12 inside Dayton city limits

- 9 in rural Columbia County

- None reported in the Starbuck area

2011 Burglaries in Columbia County

Commercial Burglaries - 13 total reported

(1 determined to be unfounded)

- 9 inside Dayton city limits

- 2 in the Starbuck area

- 2 in rural Columbia County

Residential Burglaries - 36 total reported

(1 determined to be unfounded)

- 27 inside Dayton city limits

- 8 in rural Columbia County

- 1 in the Starbuck area

2010 Burglaries in Columbia County

Commercial Burglaries - 14 reported

- 12 inside Dayton city limits

- 2 in rural Columbia County

Residential Burglaries - 42 reported

(5 determined to be unfounded)

- 19 inside Dayton city limits

- 20 in rural Columbia County

- 3 in the Starbuck area