Since mid-August, the Manitowoc Police Department has responded to numerous complaints from citizens whose vehicles have been entered and items stolen. The suspect(s) have in the past week become much bolder, now actually entering into victim’s homes and stealing items while the homeowners are sleeping.
The Manitowoc Police Department is asking citizens to lock their vehicles and their homes, including garage service doors. Many times the suspect(s) have entered an unlocked garage service door to enter a vehicle parked within a garage, and then found the door to the home unlocked as well. They take that opportunity to enter the home and steal additional items, again while the homeowners are asleep in the residence.
This creates the potential for a serious confrontation between a homeowner and a suspect. Homeowners who have awakened to find items stolen from within their home while they slept feel violated within their own personal space.
These thefts and burglaries have occurred in all neighborhoods within Manitowoc, not just one area of the City. Everyone should be locking their vehicles and their homes to prevent themselves from becoming a victim. And please do not leave items of value within plain sight inside your vehicle. Take them into the home or put them in the trunk or behind / under the seat.
Please report suspicious behavior within your neighborhood immediately by calling 911 or the Joint Dispatch Center at 920-686-6500.
The Manitowoc Police Department is asking anyone with information about any of these incidents to contact the Police Department at 920- 686-6551 or Crime Stoppers (920-683-4466) where they may be eligible for a cash reward for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved.