Rash of vehicle thefts hits Sedalia

Vehicle thefts can happen in a small town.

That’s what some are learning in a recent rash of stolen vehicles.

Tom Hockaday Jr.’s 1990 white Oldsmobile Cutlass was stolen during the day on July 16 from the parking lot at the City of Sedalia garage parking lot, 901 E. Third St.

“When I clocked out and went to the parking lot, it was gone,” he said.

The car was locked, but the key was in the ignition. Hockaday said it would have been hard for a passerby to see the key, and he had to leave it there because of a problem with the ignition. Police have been unable to find the car.

“Every time I drive around town and see a white car, I’m lookin’ at it,” Hockaday said.

The car had liability insurance, which does not cover the cost of the stolen vehicle, Hockaday said. He is looking for another car.

“I’ll have to save my money ’til I get enough for a down payment,” he said.

Hockaday is not alone.

At least seven vehicles were reported stolen to the Sedalia Police Department from July 16 to 31. Some were found after they were abandoned; others are still missing.

“In most of the cases, people are leaving their keys in their car,” said Sgt. Adam Hendricks. “Auto thefts around here are usually crimes of opportunity.”

Eighteen vehicles have been reported stolen to the Sedalia Police Department this year. In 2006, 42 vehicles were reported stolen.

Criminals often walk the streets at night and check for unlocked vehicle doors, Hendricks said. Those same people may steal a car if they stumble upon one with the keys in the ignition.

Hendricks suggests hiding or taking inside anything of value, even change, to avoid thefts from vehicles.

“Don’t leave anything of value at all in the car,” he said. “If they see something they want, they’ll break the window. Locking your doors isn’t enough.”

About two weeks ago, Maurice Taylor’s 1994 Ford Explorer was stolen from his driveway at 906 S. Kentucky Ave.

“I didn’t know it was gone until the next morning,” he said.

A Sedalia police officer told Taylor in the morning that the vehicle had been stolen and wrecked into another car. The people in the stolen Explorer left the accident and were picked up by another vehicle.

The crash totaled Taylor’s vehicle, which was covered with liability insurance only.

“I’m sittin’ here without a vehicle,” Taylor said.

Taylor and Hockaday said they learned that living in a small town doesn’t mean vehicles are safe from theft.

Both will take extra measures to make sure their next vehicles are secure.

Taylor plans to install an alarm and automatic start, which would have a kill switch that requires a remote button be pushed and a key in the ignition before it would go.

Hockaday is considering the purchase of a Global Positioning System for his next vehicle.

snail@sedaliademocrat.com