Lewiston resident says car burglars targeted three of her vehicles

Two of Merrill Hobbs’ vehicles that were broken into.

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Story Published: Dec 1, 2009 at 11:32 PM PDT

Story Updated: Dec 1, 2009 at 11:32 PM PDT

By Anne Harding

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LEWISTON - Two men were arrested in connection with Lewiston car break-ins last weekend, but car burglaries continue, and some residents are wondering if more can’t be done to stop them.

Friday night Lewiston Police arrested Thomas Bear of Wapato and David White of Culdesac in the 500 block of 5th Street following a tip from a Normal Hill resident. Both were arrested on charges of attempted vehicle burglary and were booked into the Nez Perce County Jail.
Just a few blocks away on Saturday night vehicles were struck again. This time Merrill Hobbs, who lives on 11th Avenue, was the victim.

"'Hilga' (my car) was broken into about two weeks ago," said Hobbs. "Then Sunday, I guess, or Saturday night is when my Nissan and my Datsun were broken into."

Hobbs said the thieves took anything they could grab, including the registration, insurance papers and a set of wrenches.

Hobbs said she used to feel like she lived in a neighborhood where she could sometimes leave her cars unlocked, but said she doesn't feel safe anymore.

"This is a nice neighborhood," said Hobbs. "There are a lot of older people here. They have nice vehicles and they're nice people. But the crime, for this size of town and for this area, it's ridiculous."

Hobbs said police have been helpful, but she thinks they need to use different tactics to catch criminals.

"They're in their black and whites. They need to get in unmarked cars," said Hobbs. "They need to start fingerprinting, because these are professionals, they're not just random acts, they've got a whole system down."

Lewiston Police Corporal Eric Kjorness said most car burglaries are crimes of opportunity and reported nearly every weekend in various parts of the city.

Kjorness said the best defense against crimes of this kind is to remove any valuables from vehicles and lock the doors.

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