The Starkville Police Department is investigating numerous reports of stolen vehicles and theft attempts stemming from the last two Mississippi State University game day weekends.
Thieves are focusing their efforts on Ford trucks — F-150s and F-250s, specifically — and GMC SUVs, in which owners are leaving their keys in the vehicles, opting instead to carry with them a keyless entry device, a SPD release states.
Drivers are advised to remove their keys and valuables when exiting their vehicles.
SPD obtained video surveillance of suspects using two vehicles — a white GMC Yukon and a black sedan — to inspect parked automobiles for left-behind keys or other valuables.
It is not known how many suspects are linked to the burglary and theft outbreak.
If you or anyone else has information about these incidents, call SPD at (662) 323-4131 or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at (800) 530-7151.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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