The La Plata County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a string of car thefts.
Sheriff’s Office spokesman Chris Burke said seven of the nine cars have been found abandoned on county roads since May 1, leading investigators to suspect whoever stole the vehicles took them for short joyrides before abandoning them.
“We’re thinking that people are joyriding (because) there’s no damage to the vehicles, but there’s stuff stolen out of the vehicles when we recover them,” Burke said. “And they’re just left at random on the side of the road. Nobody’s trying to hide them.”
The thefts occurred on county roads 203, 214, 311, 222 and 311, as well Florida Road and Carbon Junction. Three different vehicles were stolen off Florida Road specifically.
Vehicles that have been reported stolen include a 2008 Subaru Forester, a 2020 Ford pickup truck, a 1997 Toyota 4Runner, a 1998 Subaru Impreza, a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse and a 2009 Chevy Avalanche.
Only two remain unrecovered – a 1960 Willy’s Jeep that was taken from a home on County Road 502, and a 2010 Kia Forte that was stolen off Florida Road.
“There isn’t a pattern of a certain type of vehicle being stolen,” Burke said. “Items from vehicles have been taken out of the cars, and vehicles have been left abandoned on the side of county roads.”
Several of the vehicles had their ignitions tampered with, while one car had its keys left in its ignition, Burke said.
Burke urged residents to be vigilant with their cars while the investigation remains active.
“The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind residents to lock their cars, remove the keys and personal belongings left in view,” Burke said. “Please park your car in well-lighted areas, in view of a camera if possible.”
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