Multiple burglaries reported in rural Boone County

The Boone County Sheriff’s Department is investigating multiple burglaries reported in the Elm Tree area, north of Columbia.

According to deputies, tools, hunting equipment, electronics, prescription medication and firearms were reported stolen from homes on Highway VV, Dripping Springs Road and Botner Road.

Deputies say some of the homes were unlocked or not property secured. The crimes happened in daylight hours according to investigators.

“I think it’s the public’s responsibility to lock up your belongings, secure your home and make it difficult for burglars,” Detective Tom O’Sullivan with BCSD said.

O’Sullivan said burglars are opportunists and will move on if they think there will be difficulty getting into a home.

“If a residence looks too difficult to break in, they’ll just go to the next place,” O’Sullivan said. “If they see an alarm sign in the front yard they’ll go to the next place. You want to make your home as uninviting a target as possible.”

Detectives also recommend stopping your mail and newspaper if you leave town for vacation.

According to residents, it’s a near-daily occurrence.

“Everybody checks every day to see who got broken into the night before,” said Erman Call, owner of the local hardware store. “Lawn mowers. Hunting equipment. Chain saws. Trimmers. Blowers. You name it. Anything they can turn a fast buck on and get some cash out of it.”