Catching Traveling Criminals

[syndicaster id=’5995410′]

Columbus, Miss. (WCBI)– Criminals are getting smarter and are traveling farther to break the law and law enforcement must rely on teamwork to bring them to justice.

Recent burglaries in Clay and Winston County have alerted law enforcement to the new problem.

Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott says these law breakers believe they’ll get away with it.

“I think they feel more comfortable by getting out of their county…”, says Scott, “…thinking they have a better chance at getting away with a crime by doing that”

But thanks to these traveling criminals, law enforcement is staying connected.

“We’re pretty much in contact with each other if not daily, at least 3 or 4 times a week”, said Scott, “…I talk very regularly with our surrounding Sheriffs, and we’re all working on the same page.”

The property that is being stolen isn’t just jewelry, but also weapons.

“Typically, what we see is they end up in the wrong hands, and they may be sold and sent to Chicago, Atlanta or end up somewhere on the street…”, explained Scott, “…we have recovered a lot of weapons from places like that that have been used in some type of crime.”

Law enforcers also say much of the property sold is used in the drug trade.

“Be wary of what you buy, and who you buy from, because you very well are buying stolen property”, said Winston County Sheriff Jason Pugh.

The sheriffs encourage anyone who sees anything suspicious, to call 9-1-1.

Both departments also stressed the importance of recording serial numbers on property like guns or A.T.Vs and to take pictures of jewelry.