This morning our department filed three charges of 2nd degree felony burglary on Corey Allan Davis, age 22, LKA Athens, OH. Davis is currently in the regional jail on unrelated charges. These charges culminate an investigation into the burglaries of 5, 19, and 23 Joneswood Drive where our CIU (Criminal Investigative Unit) obtained DNA evidence linking Davis to the crimes.
Furthermore, we are aware of the significant increase in home break-ins and burglaries that have occurred over the last several months and investigation into those unresolved crimes continues. We are seeking the public’s assistance in crime prevention and we would ask the community to continue to call in suspicious behavior in the city, specifically in the residential areas. We urge the community to remain vigilant, to lock your doors and windows, and to watch out for your neighbor’s property as well.
I would like to highlight that the documentation of serial numbers on personal property is paramount in assisting law enforcement. When our CIU can obtain serial numbers for stolen property, the chances of our solving the crime increases exponentially as does our chance in returning one’s stolen property. With the advent of smart phones, photographing serial numbers and saving the photos in a secure digital location (cloud drives, thumb drives kept at work etc.) is the easiest way to document this information.
Several of the crimes we are investigating have occurred in the middle of the work day when it is more likely an average citizen is at work or school. For this reason, we would recommend the installation and use of a home security system (please ensure all home alarms are registered with APD).
Lastly, I would strongly recommend the use of covert trail cameras or similar video type systems placed at opposite corners of your home and/or near entry points. While this type of system may not stop a burglary from occurring, the availability of this type of evidence to law enforcement is extremely beneficial. We have solved many crimes with this type of video evidence in recent years. These systems are typically inexpensive and are available at most department or sporting goods stores. Weather proofing, wireless linking and infra-red options (night vision) are all good options to look for in such a system.I would add that many insurance companies provide “Apps” for smart phones that assist customers in documenting serial numbers.
Thank you for your assistance and support of our department with these matters.
Thomas D. Pyle II, CLEE
Chief of Police