Guns, money stolen in multiple Dickson County car burglaries

DICKSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Thieves have targeted a rural Dickson County community, breaking into nearly two dozen vehicles.

Investigators told News 2 that the thieves rummaged through 22 vehicles, stealing items from 11 of those vehicles. Detectives added that the thieves stole a laptop, cash and two handguns. They also stole an SUV, but authorities later recovered the vehicle.

News 2 obtained surveillance footage from the early morning of Thursday, July 18.

Investigators said that it showed thieves rummaging through vehicles on Petty Road, which sits between Charlotte and White Bluff. By dawn’s early light, reports began pouring in to the Dickson County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Tim Eads told News 2 that this is a high number of break-ins for this community. Most troubling, the long-time law man explained, is the two stolen weapons. Eads explained that most people with criminal backgrounds cannot buy a firearm legally, so they steal them.

“Often, that weapon is used against an innocent person or member of law enforcement,” Eads added.

On body camera footage, one victim told deputies that the thieves rifled through her Mini Cooper and took nothing.

Deputy: Anything stolen?

Victim: Nope.

She told the deputy a small amount of money had been taken from her truck.

“The money’s gone — that’s it,” the victim added.

Down the street, another victim lost a .38 caliber revolver from her newly washed truck. She spoke with the officer about possible clues.

“We just washed the truck Sunday,” the other victim told the officer. “Those are bare footprints ’cause there were no footprints there.”

A quick-thinking deputy took pictures of the footprint, using a $20 bill for size comparison.

Sheriff Eads said that everyone, even those in small communities, should lock their vehicles and secure their belongings.

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Often people get lulled into a false sense of security,” Eads said. “You are out here in the country. Your neighbors are not victimizing you. It is like a random storm coming through. You always want to be prepared.”

The two handguns are still missing as of publication. Officials told News 2 that at least one possible suspect has been identified in this case.

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