HINESVILLE, Ga. (WSAV) - Car thefts have been on the rise in Hinesville over the last few months, and police said that they are still searching for the larger cause.
"There's been a lot of guns stolen, a lot of money stolen, and other items of value," Hinesville Police Chief Tracey Howard said.
There were about 50 cases of car theft just in the month of October. Midway through November, there's been over 30.
That's double the amount for October compared to last year and a significant increase for November compared to the same month in 2023.
It's not just a problem because victims will miss their stolen items, Hinesville is a military community.
"We've had a couple situations where a soldier leaves their military equipment, just personal equipment in their vehicle so they're ready for work the next day and the vehicle's not secure," Howard said.
Chief Howard said civilians have had guns stolen from their cars too.
"Most guns that are involved in homicides that aren't domestic-related homicides are weapons that are illegally obtained," Howard said. "Mostly, they're stolen."
That was the case in the most recent arrest made by Hinesville Police in the string of car thefts. Jaquan Clemens was arrested for obstruction and possession of a stolen firearm. Police linked him to the break in because he was allegedly using the stolen gun for a different crime.
Chief Howard said most of those who have been arrested in connection to car thefts are under 18.
"We're still putting a lot of the pieces together with the recent arrest," Howard said. "So, that will probably be an ongoing determination as to whether or not it was linked to some organized crime."
The thefts are happening all over the city, not isolated to one specific neighborhood. However, they do have one thing in common.
"We had a couple vehicles that were broken into, but that's not the trend," Howard said. Those have only occurred in rare occasions because so many people leave their vehicles unlocked unfortunately."
Police said the main thing you can do to prevent being a victim of theft from your car is to always lock it and bring your valuables inside.