January 25, 2019 at 3:56 p.m.
Two stolen vehicles recovered in Hazelhurst
Young: 'Stop being complacent'
Two stolen vehicles recovered in Hazelhurst
That phone call came from an off-duty sheriff's deputy who happened to be ice fishing, according to Capt. Tyler Young. Not long after that, Young said the department received another call: the Ram had been stolen from a Hazelhurst residence.
It was the second vehicle reported as stolen to the sheriff's office in 10 days. On Jan. 8, Young said a Chevrolet Impala, reported stolen from a residence on Bluebird Road in Hazelhurst, was recovered on the Bearskin Trail near Cedar Falls Road.
On Wednesday, he said both vehicles and the area around where they had been recovered were searched extensively for any evidence as to who might have taken them.
So far, Young said, the sheriff's office has come up empty.
While the investigation continues, Young made note of one thing both incidents had in common: the vehicles were unsecured with keys in easy reach.
For example, there was an ignition key for the Impala inside its fuel tank cover.
"In my view and living up here and my family living up here, we're really complacent," Young said. "We need to stop being complacent because this is getting to be ... in my 20 years here, we didn't have as many of these vehicle thefts."
Now, he said, it's becoming more prevalent not only in Oneida County but throughout northern Wisconsin.
"People have their garage doors open, keys in the ignition of vehicles," Young said. "Cars in the driveway with keys in the ignition overnight. People leave town and leave their houses unlocked. Other people are taking advantage of that."
He encourages people to be good neighbors.
"If you see something out of place, please give us a call," Young said. "Lock your cars, don't leave the keys in the ignition."
In the meantime, if anyone has information regarding the two cases they are asked to contact the Oneida County Sheriff's tipline anonymously at 1-800-361-5199 or the dispatch center at 715-361-5100.
Both stolen vehicles have been returned to their owners.
Brian Jopek may be reached via email at [email protected]
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