Thefts from sheds, garages investigated in Belmont

BELMONT — For those with lawn equipment or generators, noting the make, model and number could help identifying them should they be stolen, like a number of them were in Belmont this past week.

Police, said Lt. Rich Mann, are investigating a series of the thefts from outside sheds and garages, and he said some of the items stolen include a tilling machine, a dirt bike and a generator.

"These are things that are often pawned for cash," said Mann, saying that if victims can identify their items, when police go looking for them, it makes it a lot easier for them to get a conviction and for victims to possible get their things back.

Mann said there have been thefts from at least four residences over the past week and all of them involved items that were stored in outside sheds or garages.

Mann also said people should notify police if they see strange people and/or vehicles around their neighborhoods. He said even if the call results in nothing, it lets others know that people who live in residential neighborhoods that their neighbors care what happens.

"It takes all of us," Mann said.

Anyone with any information about the recent thefts or anyone who sees any unusual activity in their neighborhoods is asked to call the Belmont Police at 267-8350.

– Gail Ober