Two gun theft incidents may be connected

WEYAUWEGA - A firearm stolen from a vehicle during a series of overnight entries in Weyauwega last week may be connected to a similar gun theft reported recently in nearby Manawa, police said.

Weyauwega Police Chief Brandon Leschke said four separate incidents were reported that involved individuals entering vehicles during the overnight hours of April 15 through the morning of April 16.

The activity appeared to begin on the city’s west side in the 300 block of West Parker Street before moving toward the 200 block of East Birdsall Street, the 400 block of South Mary Street and near Merrimac and South streets. The incidents generally followed a path from Maasch Park south toward Oakwood Cemetery, according to police.

Leschke said three of the vehicles entered in Weyauwega were unlocked. A fourth vehicle that was believed to be locked had its window smashed so the suspects could access a handgun mounted inside. The firearm was stolen from the vehicle, Leschke confirmed.

The pattern is similar to a recent string of vehicle entries in Manawa late last month, where a gun was also stolen from an unlocked vehicle. While police have not confirmed a direct link between the incidents, Leschke said a connection is possible and he couldn’t rule out whether the incidents were tied to a single group moving through smaller cities

The vehicle entries took place last week while some neighboring communities were required to evacuate due to regional flooding, but Leschke said city residents did not have a mandatory evacuation and the vehicle entries were not tied to displaced residents.

Leschke urged residents to take basic precautions to help prevent similar crimes, especially during overnight hours.

“Darkness is always a partner in the crime spree,” he said. “If they have yard lights, motion lights, they should be on at night and evening. Lock your cars. Don’t leave your valuables in your cars.”

For firearm owners who choose to keep guns in their vehicles, Leschke recommended keeping them in a gun safe that is fastened in the vehicle so it can’t be removed.

Leshke said police are still reviewing available surveillance footage, but thick fog the night of the incidents has made it difficult to identify suspects.

“I’m not happy that it occurred, but I’m happy that we only had one evening of it, and we haven’t had any reports since,” he said.

Residents with information about the vehicle entries or stolen firearm are asked to contact the Weyauwega Police Department.