BREAK-INS

On the night of Aug. 18, someone broke into a number of sheds in the 4300 block of Stonewall Avenue. Many of the sheds were locked, and in one case, the crook entered a yard through an unlocked privacy gate. Lawnmowers, weed whackers, grills, and other lawn tools were stolen. 
 
The Richmond police advise residents to:
 
1. “Harden the target” by using quality locks and hasps (hockey puck style is best) that are securely mounted. Also, stow away anything that may be used to break, pry, or assist them in getting into locked areas. This includes ladders, construction debris, and items that have been placed out for pick-up prior to trash day.

2. Lock your cars and put all valuables in the trunk. If they see the GPS mount on the windshield, or even the circle left behind from one, then there is a pretty good chance there is one in the vehicle.

3. Don't be a victim, or assist the crooks in breaking into your neighbor's car, house or shed.
 
SUSPICIOUS CHARACTERS

A resident recently noted an older white 300D-4 Door Mercedes-Benz, driven by a man with a female passenger, slowly proceeding on Riverside Dr. in the vicinity of the 5100 block.

The woman had "tacky," brassy, shoulder-length blond hair. She was later observed riding an old bicycle down Riverside Dr. at a slow pace, with a couple of empty plastic bags dangling from the handlebars, and was peering not at the road, but at each and every single house, especially driveways.

The resident contacted police with this information.