Osage County Sheriff Mike Bonham announced this week the recovery of two stolen vehicles, and urged citizens to take precautions against theft.

One of the reportedly stolen vehicles, a 2007 Chevy pickup, was taken from a Freeburg business in broad daylight on Sept. 21, and the other, a 2001 Dodge pickup was taken from a private residence in Freeburg on Sept. 27 sometime in the night. The Chevy was recovered on the same day in Freeburg and the second vehicle was recovered after a pursuit with law enforcement in Wright County, Minn. A male and female fled on foot and have not been located at the time of release.

Bonham said the sheriff’s office has a couple people of interest in these incidents and believe at this time they appear to be related.

In the early morning hours of Sept. 28 a four-wheeler was stolen from Hilkemeyer’s General Store. Thieves cut the fence of the Hilkemeyer property and drove the four-wheeler out. The sheriff’s office is working on a couple of leads.

In 2020, more than 750,000 vehicles were stolen in the United States — and about half of those thefts were due to driver error. Vehicle theft is a multi-billion-dollar crime, Bonham noted, costing vehicle owners more than $7 billion in 2020 alone. Passenger cars made up more than 74% of all stolen motor vehicles.

A motor vehicle was stolen every 39 seconds in the United States in 2020.

Bonham offered this advice. “Use common sense when parking and exiting your vehicle,” he said. “Take your vehicle’s key; do not leave it in or on your vehicle. Close and lock all windows and doors when you park. Park in well-lit areas, if possible. Never leave valuables in your vehicle, especially if they can be seen from outside the vehicle.”

He added that thieves want vehicle parts and valuable items, too, so vigilance is the best course of action.

Radios and wheel covers aren’t the only popular stolen vehicle parts thieves take. “They want whatever sells, from the mandated labeled parts to those that aren’t,” Bonham said. “Some of the most popular vehicle parts or valuable items stolen from vehicles include doors, engines, transmissions, air bags, radios, GPS units, cell phones, iPads, laptops, and purses.”

Bonham also recommends that residents safeguard their homes.

“Please make sure your homes are locked when no one is present,” he said. “We’re in a rural area, and it may seem like Mayberry, but in reality, crimes are increasing everywhere. We are working diligently to apprehend those responsible for these crimes but are also asking residents to take certain steps in deterring crimes of opportunity.”

If you witnessed any of these criminal activities, please call the sheriff’s office at 573-897-3927.