There have been nine reports of theft and vehicle break-ins in the past 60 days in Mancos, and town Marshal John Cox is urging residents to keep vehicles and homes locked.
Cox says there have been reports of purses and other miscellaneous items stolen out of unlocked cars, with the majority of reports south of U.S. Highway 160. The rash of thefts have been linked to four juveniles, and the District Attorney is reviewing charges, Cox said.
One juvenile was turned in by his mother after she discovered numerous unfamiliar items in their possession.
"We sent info to the D.A. on four juveniles, and he's making up his mind whether or to charge them," he said.
Although four suspects have been identified, another theft was reported on Monday night. Cox says the vehicle owner discovered items were missing recently, but couldn't pinpoint when the theft occurred, so it's unclear whether it was perpetrated by the four suspects.
"The message I want to get out is for people to lock their cars. If everybody could just lock up, we would probably stop this in its tracks," he said.
