Jump in thefts leads to 9.7 percent crime increase

Crime in St. Charles during the second quarter of 2010 increased by 9.7 percent when compared to the same period in 2009, according to stats released by the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The overall increase is attributed to a higher number of auto burglaries, thefts and property crimes. Most major crimes decreased.

The number of reported thefts increased by 100 from the second quarter of 2009 to the second quarter of 2010. Burglaries, assaults, robberies, rapes and auto thefts all dropped during that same period.

There was one murder during the second quarter of 2009 and one murder during that period in 2010.

Vehicle burglaries, which involve someone breaking into a car and removing valuables, tend to peak in the summer. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne said that vehicle burglaries are one of the most preventable crimes
“I again would urge anyone to lock your cars and remove any valuable items from plain sight located therein,” Champagne said. “Guns, GPS units, purses, briefcases and such are prime targets.”