Holts Summit police seek help after string of reported vandalism
HOLTS SUMIT, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Holts Summit Police Department is asking for help tracking down the people responsible for a string of vandalism that occurred to multiple mailboxes and property damage to a storage unit facility.
On Tuesday night, multiple mailboxes were damaged in the areas of North Greenway Drive, Brookstone Drive and Sommer Court, near Steve’s Pest Control. Security footage from a house on North Greenway Drive shows two people with bikes stop in front of a house to kick over a mailbox before pedaling away. A Facebook post from the homeowner claims at least 12 mailboxes were damaged in the area.
ABC 17 News on Wednesday saw two mailboxes on North Greenway Drive that had been damaged. One had the box ripped off a wooden post while the other -- also on a wooden post -- was completely tipped over.
Police are also investigating significant property damage to a nearby storage facility. According to a City of Holts Summit press release, the damage occurred on May 5. A photograph posted by the city shows three youth outside the facility.
“To be completely honest, we work several storage unit burglaries throughout the year,” Sgt. Crystal Kent, of the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office, said. “During different times of the year, we will see a rise in storage unit burglaries but it is something we do work quite a few cases here in Callaway County.”
Kent said the spring and winter tend to be the busiest times for break-ins.
“I would strongly suggest that people check their storage units often. That’s a two-part request and the reason is a lot of times when taking storage unit burglaries people will tell us that they haven't been there in months,” Kent explained. “So when we’re working these burglaries we don’t have a good time frame of when they occurred.”
Kent also suggests getting with the storage unit facility and making sure they either have a security system in place or are assisting in checking the storage units regularly. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Holts Summit Police Department at (573)896-5600 or Callaway County Crime Stoppers at (573)592-2474. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online.
Break-ins at storage units have recently been reported in Columbia, as well, in recent months. One family told ABC 17 News on Tuesday that they experienced multiple break-ins for their unit since January.
