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What is this?
Break-ins plague downtown streets, worry neighbors
Published Wednesday, December 19, 2007
NATCHEZ — John White knew something was amiss when he heard what sounded like a Christmas ornament falling off the tree at 3:30 Tuesday morning.
“My wife and I looked at each other and we both thought, ‘That sounded like a weird noise,’” he said.
Going downstairs, White called out to his daughter who had been watching television when he went to bed, and when he rounded the corner to see a broken-out glass pane in a door, he knew what had just happened.
Someone had just tried to burglarize his home.
White’s house is one of four houses on Commerce and Orleans streets that has been broken into in recent weeks.
Eight vehicles in the downtown area have also been burglarized.
Fortunately for White, the noise he made coming down the stairs scared off the would-be burglars before they could reach through and undo the deadbolt on the door and take anything.
White said he wants people to know about the burglaries in recent weeks and be prepared.
“The more aware people are that there are some problems out there, the more observant they are,” he said.
Commerce Street residents Randy and Ann Tillman were not as fortunate as White when one of their vehicles was burglarized Saturday morning.
After breaking out the driver’s side window on a truck parked in their driveway, the thief took a cell phone, a Global Positioning System computer and a pistol from the vehicle, Ann Tillman said.
“They called us at 5:45 a.m. from the cell phone, I guess to see if we were home,” Ann said. “It was scary. My husband usually leaves the house around that time, and the potential here is horrifying.”
Police Chief Mike Mullins said there has been a rise in incidents in the areas of State, Washington and Orleans Street, and that the police are following leads on the burglaries.
Though there is sometimes a rise in this type of crime at this time of year, Natchez has not typically seen it in years past, Mullins said.
“What I am asking people to do is please watch and be aware, and call us if anything is out of the ordinary,” Mullins said. “If there is anything that looks suspicious, anyone moving through the area who doesn’t look familiar, go ahead and call and let the police department identify them.”
Some things citizens can do to discourage potential thefts is to make sure not to leave anything valuable in their vehicle, and to make sure all doors and windows in their houses are locked, Mullins said.
“If they have an alarm system, they need to test it and make sure it is turned on,” he said.
As for White, he already has a plan of action.
“I think the plan for here on out is for us to meet as a neighborhood and have volunteers patrol the neighborhood and assist the police,” he said.
Comments
Posted by firered (Elizabeth Geter) on December 19, 2007 at 12:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow these thieves are getting bold huh? Calling the Tillman's house from their cell phone. Ah, shows what idiots these criminals are.
HA, and I was glad to see the Police Chief is finally admitting to a raise in some sort of crime around here.
Posted by Hunter (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 5:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WHY are there stupid people?
WHY!?
Posted by jd (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 6:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope the Tillmans inadvertently left the pistol in the car.
Not a good idea. I prefer mine near, locked and loaded.
Refuse to be a victim.
Merry Christmas, ya’ll.
Posted by justme (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 6:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Somebody is going to end up getting shot, if all of this doesn't get under control. How tragic!!!
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 7:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Listen up folks, there is a NATIONAL crime report out, that is stating, if you are using those GPS devices, please take them out of your cars. Really and truly, you should not leave anything in your vehicle. They were able to steal too much from that vehicle. Cell phones, a GUN, computer! Apparently, thieves know the value of those GPS devices and are stealing them and reselling them. It has gotten so bad in one city, until they are telling residents that when they place these devices in their windshields, then remove them, they should also remove that mark the rubber stopper will leave on the windshield because thieves look for that to determine if you may be using one. I thought about my radar detector and how it may be confused for one
The thieves are getting bold but citizens must become bolder.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 7:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OH GREAT! Now the thieves have a gun!
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I imagine they already had several guns. I see a surge in security alarms being installed. With todays technology there aren't even any outside wires which could be cut.
Posted by room62 (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
this is all taking place in my parents neighborhood and on their block. very scary.
Posted by MsKitty39120 (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am just so happy no one got hurt... the one that got out of bed could have been hurt if they had gotten into the house...... and as for the Tillmens be careful. but i dont think they will come back they know your watching...
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What would really help these neightboors is for them to get together and get to know each other. I know next to nobody in my neightborhood, if there was somebody in my neighboorhood that wasn't supposed to be there, how would I know. Neighboorhoods aren't really open anymore, people just keep to themselves, plus there are so many people moving in and out.
Posted by specialk (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
With many years of law enforcement experience, one thing I know for sure after studying CRIMINOLOGY; 91% of the family households in the U.S.A. are PREDICTABLE and have a PATTERN. Thieves do not play by the rules and T.V. is educating them more. Psalms 127:1 talks about the LORD keeping the city etc. Please pray for PROTECTION, because my neighbors broke into my house and I never expected it in my wildest dreams. They know your patterns ALSO.
Posted by dixiecrat (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Man, I thought my neighbors were bad for throwing their trash and beer cans in my yard - I wouldn't think I'd ever have to worry about them breaking into my house, though! My house is on State Street downtown - in the last two years I've had one car stolen from in front of my house (and wrecked) and the other vehicle's front window broken into and my wife's purse stolen (with everything of value in it). I never knew how bad it was here. No wonder folks want to move into all those new subdivisions south of town.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Was that White and Tillman as in drs from the Vidalia Medical center?
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know that Randy Tillman is one of the doctors over there, and Dr. Whites first name is John so it very well could be. The Tillmans cars are parked in the back with a high hedge and garden between them and the main house. There is no way they could have heard anything.
Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yes that's the Dr.
Posted by stateofnatchez (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just goes to show that anyone is a target.
--> Don't be predictable
--> Don't be naive
--> Don't be without some form of protection
--> Don't stop when being approached
I've been in Houston for the past week and this Horn guy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Horn_sh...) is slowly getting his reputation tarnished for doing the right thing regardless of what 911 tapes might lead you to think.
I'm thankful to not have to put up with the same caca that Houston & surrounding areas have to deal with, but am ready and able to defend when need be. Oh yeah, one more......
--> Don't let any liberal consciousness or deadhead local judiciary get the better of you when you are in the middle of a situation protecting your family.
Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can you imagine how horrifying it must sound to a thug who is breaking into your home as you chamber a round of 00 buckshot in your 12 gauge riot gun?
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 5:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hmmm mmmm!! oh my pickle!!
Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Doesn't everyone in Hicksville carry guns? Heck, all the trucks I saw there had gun racks.
Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I sure would like to see someone try to break into Chuck Norris's house.
That would be the last thing they ever did.
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
HAHA!!! You are a big fan of Chucks aren't you???
Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chuck Norris is the reason for the season.
Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 8:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
no, not everyone carries guns here. he knows he'll prob get a laugh or 2 from the Chuck jokes gotta.
Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 8:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
another one. lol
Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Guns don't kill people. Chuck Norris kills people.
Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hear you Angie. That would be a parents' worst nightmare, wouldn't it.
Posted by supermom (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Make sure you don't leave your stuff in plain sight in your yard either.... my Mom had her lawn mower and other yard items stolen from her back patio in broad daylight today. Luckily, someone saw the idiot pushing the mower down the street and the police were able to catch him. Be extremely careful at the shopping centers , too. It's crazy this time of the year,and some people get desperate.
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on December 19, 2007 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good info supermom! I was getting gas after leaving the SuperTarget and two unsavory characters thought one could divert me by asking how to get back to Jackson. I simply adjusted my shirt a bit, to where they could see my peacemaker, and pointed them in the right direction. I didn't utter a word. They sped off like they had seen a ghost. Now mind you, we were already in Jackson! Folks, be careful out there!
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on December 20, 2007 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have never owned a gun...no reason really, just don't...I'm more for having a doberman over a gun. The mere thought of a dog attacking them and ripping them apart scares them more than a bullet.
Posted by supermom (anonymous) on December 20, 2007 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good point csguidry about the neighbors.... over Thanksgiving holidays one of my sons "friends" used the key we had hidden outside to come in our house and steal a game system. It was someone (1) who knew where the key was, (2) knew we were not home and (3) it was someone our dog knew. Needless to say, there is no more key outside ! And my son is very wary of who he can call friend...... very sad that you can't even trust your friends, especially when you have all the other low-lifes out there breaking in peoples homes.
Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on December 20, 2007 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ppl need to start leaving lights on at night or something to make these creeps think you're awake.
Posted by jd (anonymous) on December 20, 2007 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
peace:
First of all understand I’m not picking on you. I feel it’s necessary to make that clear. Some on here are too easily offended, and get very belligerent.
You seem rational and quite fair. Anyway, back to the news.
It’s important to consider options. But more than lights are needed.
(Add timers to turn different lights on and off. Install motion detectors to activate outdoor lighting.)
Unfortunately, these thugs are career criminals. They watch more CSI and such than we do. They discuss"jobs" with their homies, and advise each other. They have the nerve to break in during daylight hours.
Let’s educate ourselves not to be victimized. Some things can be done that won’t break the bank, or make us live barricaded in fortresses. Search the internet, talk to your police.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on December 20, 2007 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Excellent points jd!!!
Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on December 20, 2007 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yeah jd, all of that.
Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on December 20, 2007 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
you don't pick on ppl anyway jd so i'd never think that. i know the score.
Posted by scarlettohara (anonymous) on December 21, 2007 at 1:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NotfromNatchez....
You honestly have me perplexed. I haven't posted in a while and almost never "stir the pot" by criticizing other posters, but...what is your deal?? I have read comments from you over the past few weeks and--as your name obviously states-- you are not from Natchez. You are almost childish in some of your posts about how (paraphrasing here) stupid, backwards, ignorant, etc we are here in this mecca of idiocy. Why then, do you waste your time reading and then posting comments about such a sorry town? I'm honestly curious. Blast me if you choose, but I would sincerely like to know why someone who hates this town so much would spend SO much time reading/posting on this site.
Also, what's with the strange Chuck Norris infatuation? Very peculiar. I am not sure if you are referring to our local attorney or if you are fixated on the Hollywood actor. Very strange, indeed.
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