Car Thefts and Break-Ins

July 22, 2020
Elise Schaffer, PIO, (608) 284-6142
Sheriff's Office

Car thefts and break-ins of unlocked vehicles and homes continue to plague Dane County.  The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is reminding citizens to secure their belongings to protect themselves against these crimes of opportunity.

The Sheriff’s Office has taken reports of three stolen vehicles in the last 24 hours, as well as numerous reports of unlocked vehicles being rifled through for any items of value. Locations of the stolen vehicles include Deerfield, the town of Bristol and the Village of Windsor.  There were also numerous reports of thefts from autos in Deerfield the morning of July 21st. Other law enforcement agencies throughout the county are also experiencing these calls on a consistent basis.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking citizens to do their part to deter these crimes by ensuring vehicles, garages and homes are locked at all times!  Create reminders for yourself to check vehicles, garage doors and home entry points to make sure they’re locked and that no items of value are accessible.  If you notice your vehicle has been entered, please report it even if nothing was stolen, as there could be related cases in your area.

Consider joining the Neighbors App to receive alerts from neighbors and law enforcement on crime activity in your area. You do not need to have a Ring doorbell to participate in the app. However, if you do have a Ring doorbell or a similar system, you may have video that could be useful in identifying suspects.

How it works:

  • Text “danecountywi” to 555-888 or click here, https://download.ring.com/danecounty from your smartphone to download the app for free on iOS and Android.
  • Opt-in to join your neighborhood.
  • Customize the geographic area you want to receive notifications for (users must verify where they are located and cannot participate in other neighborhoods).
  • Receive real-time alerts from your neighbors, local law enforcement and the Ring team that inform of crime and safety posts via a live feed or interactive map.
  • Share text updates, photos, and videos taken on any device, including Ring’s home security devices.