NATCHEZ — After letting the day’s heat pass by, Jimmy Guercio went outside to do some yard work last week, but one thing stopped him — his lawnmower was gone.

The mower was stored in his open garage at his Washington Street house.

“I have no idea if it was a daylight, walk up and take it or a nighttime thing,” Guercio said.

Guercio is not alone in having his lawn equipment stolen and said he knows several other people who have had it happen to them.

Spencer Trazell, who owns a professional lawn service had two $400 weed trimmers stolen from him last summer while working downtown on Washington Street.

“They were on racks, they weren’t locked, but they fit on there and I wasn’t expecting anyone to take them,” Trazell said.

Unlike Guercio, Trazell did not report the incident to police.

Chief Mike Mullins said that it is fairly common for things such as mowers and tools to be stolen this time of year, but that he would not call it a “rash” of thefts.

“The larceny generally increases during the summer because more people are outside,” he said. The best way to prevent these things from happening is to keep things locked up.

“As a general rule, if you live in an area with a lot of foot traffic don’t leave Weed Eaters, lawnmowers, bikes and other power tools outside because thieves will walk by and steal them,” Mullins said.

However, keeping things locked up does not also keep them from being stolen. Recently, the maintenance shed at Natchez High School was broken into and a red Exmark mower was taken, along with a utility trailer. The riding mower is valued at $5,900. And Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information. To report information, call 601-442-5000.

Another lawnmower theft was reported on Myrtle Drive and a weed trimmer theft was reported on Washington Street. Guercio said he also know of several other thefts that were not reported.