Staff Report
Foley Onlooker
SUMMERDALE, Alabama – After a string of four robberies in the area in the past month, the Summerdale Police Department is reaching out to the surrounding community for help catching the perpetrators.
“We’re asking the public to contact us as soon as possible if they know anything,” Police Chief Eddie Ingram said. “We’ve got to have the citizen’s help.”
There were two home robberies on Sept. 1 and two more at the end of the month, Ingram said. The crimes were all within a one-mile radius of the police station.
The unidentified burglars enter by kicking in back doors to targeted homes. Jewelry and electronics mostly comprise the stolen merchandise.
“They’re stealing jewelry because it’s not easily traced,” Ingram said. “We’re asking people to photograph their jewelry, have it engraved with their initials. They also need to write down the serial numbers on their electronics.”
The suspects have also stolen several hundred dollars in coins, so local businesses should be on the lookout for patrons paying in change, Ingram said.
The station has increased the use of patrol cars, began utilizing reserves and using unmarked cars to patrol neighborhoods.
“Now we have as many as three officers patrolling at one time, opposed to the usual one we have out patrolling,” Ingram said.
Officers have arrested thirteen individuals since the end of September on outstanding warrants in the course of the investigation.
“We know it’s local people committing these crimes,” Ingram said. “There’s no doubt that it’s local people.”
Officers are currently chasing down leads, but Ingram wouldn’t release specific details about the case.
The city is starting a town crime watch program, with the first meeting on Nov. 1 on the municipal complex. Ingram plans to set up a system where locals receive texts and emails with updates about crime rates and ongoing investigations. The city also plans to implement a 24-hour tip line for citizens to call in leads.
In other municipalities where he served as chief deputy, Ingram said he has been able to drop crime rates by 80 percent with similar systems.
“We’ll make it very convenient for them,” Ingram said. “With the crime watch program, we can have 100 more eyes out there. We try, but we can’t be everywhere.”
The city is currently offering a $500 reward for information leading to arrests in the investigation. Victims have said they are willing to contribute more to the fund.
Ingram has asked citizens to call his cell phone, (251) 747-0816, or email him at
eddieingram512@yahoo.com with information.
