Authorities are investigating a rash of auto burglaries and an auto theft that were committed this weekend in Webster County.
Sheriff David Gore said the crime spree began with the theft of an SUV from Grenada County late Friday night or early Saturday. That vehicle was discovered abandoned Saturday morning northwest of Eupora on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive at Center Road.
In apparent related crimes, Gore said at least four or five vehicles were burglarized on MLK south of Highway 404 and another SUV was stolen early Saturday. That vehicle was taken from a residence on MLK between Middleton and Rock Mountain roads, according to unconfirmed reports.
At least three handguns and a few smaller items were stolen, according to Gore, with none of the vehicles showing signs of forced entry. He said the Webster County Sheriff’s Department collected some evidence and impounded the first stolen SUV Saturday.
The second stolen SUV had not been located as of midday Monday nor had any arrests been made as of then, according to Gore.
The same culprits are believed to have attempted auto burglaries in Eupora also. Cpl. Bradley Frost of the Eupora Police Department said some unlocked vehicles on East Gum Avenue and Azalea Drive were rummaged through around 4:30 a.m. Saturday. As of Monday, he said the department was not aware of anything being taken and had shared surveillance video footage with the Sheriff’s Office.
