WPD Chief: Remove Coins & Cash, Lock Car Doors

KEVIN HALPERN, Courier Co-Editor


Woodbury Police Chief Kevin Mooneyham urged residents Tuesday afternoon to remove all forms of currency from their vehicles and to lock them when they are leaving them parked overnight.

The warning comes following a number of car burglaries, possible as many as eight, which occurred overnight along several streets near Cannon County High School.

The WPD is still investigating the crimes and waiting to see if there will be additional reports of similar incidents.

In addition to the thefts from cars, Chief Mooneyham said a third episode of vandalism occurred overnight at the Cannon County Arts Center on John Bragg Hwy. A large landscape rock was tossed through a window there.

Similar incidents also occurred at Smith Funeral Home and Jennings Jewelers overnight.

Chief Mooneyham said all the cars entered late Monday or early Tuesday morning were left unlocked. Money appears to have been all that was stolen from them, he said. Nine gold coins were taken from one vehicle.

However, a brand new laptop computer in one vehicle on Lee Ave. was not taken, although money was.

The chief urged residents to call the Woodbury Police at 563-4322 if they observe any suspicious activity. If it's an emergency they should call 911, he said.

Since school is out for the summer, Chief Mooneyham said there is a possible the incidents could involve school-age kids. He said that parents should know the whereabouts of their children at all times, especially during the overnight hours.

"They can be held accounts for insufficient control if it is found their children are involved in illegal activity," Chief Mooneyham said.

The Town of Woodbury has curfews for persons 18 and under. The curfew for persons 17 and 18 is from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday and midnight to 6 a.m. Friday through Sunday. The curfew for kids 16 and under is 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday through Sunday.