Guthrie County Sheriff Marty Arganbright is warning the public to watch out for unusual activity around unattended residences.

Burglars, who are striking at rural homes where the residents are gone on vacation, have hit neighboring Dallas County hard.  The homes were easy targets in that after recent snows, there were no tracks and snow removal wasn’t done explained Arganbright.

Sheriff Arganbright says his department has investigated several burglaries on the eastern side of the county.  The thieves strike while residents are gone for several days or months, breaking in to steal jewelry, guns, electronics, silver and other small, easily moved merchandise.

The thieves are spending a lot of time in the houses, explained Arganbright. And, before they leave the homes, they create a huge mess in an attempt to destroy any evidence they might leave behind by turning off the heat and turning on water faucets.  They’ve even gone so far as to completely remove some of the doors to the residence Arganbright added.

The Sheriff strongly suggests residents who travel for several weeks or months to consider installing security systems as these thieves are out looking for places to hit.  Watch out for your neighbors, and, if you see anything suspicious or any unusual vehicles in the area, report it to the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office at 614-747-2214.