Police are encouraging people to lock their vehicles at all times and to keep all valuables out of plain site after a rash of thefts from vehicles Saturday night through Sunday morning in Baxter and Nisswa.
Baxter police responded to three reports Saturday night and three reports Sunday morning. Vehicle thefts occurred on the 15000 block of Edgewood Drive, on the 14000 of Dellwood Drive, on the 6200 block of Fairview Road and on the 6700 block of Woida Road.
Baxter Police Sgt. Dave Timm said the thefts happened overnight Saturday and some were during church services Sunday morning.
"We don't know at this point if the thefts are connected," Timm said. "It is an open investigation. Sadly, every now and again we get them where they make the circuit and go from church to church looking for unlocked vehicles looking for valuable items in plain view.
"A lot of these crimes are often crimes of opportunity and people will see a item of interest, find an unlocked door and take an easy opportunity to commit a crime and victimize others."
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Nisswa Police Chief Craig Taylor said police had multiple reports of theft from vehicles Sunday morning during church services. He said suspects went through several unlocked vehicles parked in between the Blackridge Bank and The Journey Church in Nisswa and took items.
"We encourage people to take steps to protect their vehicle by locking their doors and to not leave their valuables in their vehicle," Taylor said. "Items gets stolen, even in a small town."
** This story has been updated for a correction. It was The Journey Church where the theft occurred, not Christ Community Church.
