By Nita McCann

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Natchez Police Chief Danny White is issuing a plea to Miss-Lou residents: “Don’t leave anything of value on the seat of your car.”

That follows two vehicle burglaries reported to the Natchez Police Department just this week.

The first of the two burglaries happened Tuesday night on Commerce Street; the second, on Thursday night on High Street at the Natchez City Auditorium, where practice was being hosted for the Tableaux.

In both cases, the vehicles’ windows were smashed with bricks and purses were stolen.

Georgeanne Brakenridge said that, in the case of her daughter Lansing’s car, it all happened in the span of 30 minutes.

“She got to practice at 8:30, parked her car on Wall Street and before she got back out to her car at 9, it had been broken into,” Brakenridge said.

In addition to her purse and wallet, Lansing’s backpack was stolen.

Brakenridge said her daughter’s purse and wallet, minus the cash, were found by a gardener; the backpack, by a woman on her morning walk.

Lou Ellen Stout, a South Commerce Street resident, said her car window was also damaged at the auditorium.

“You could see where they smashed a brick into my windshield trying to get in,” Stout said, adding that she had left her purse on the passenger’s seat.

Arrests have not been made in either case, but police are investigating leads, White said.

Meanwhile, White is urging residents not to leave anything of value in their vehicles in plain sight.

“Don’t make it easy for (criminals),” he said.

Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said that as of Friday afternoon, no vehicle break-ins had been reported to his office.