Police investigators are calling a rash of car thefts and vehicle burglaries 'crimes of opportunity.' And police advise the public to protect their property by making sure vehicles, garages, tool shed and homes are locked up.

Iroquois County CrimeStoppers continue to ask for leads concerning a series of thefts and vehicle-burglaries in Ashkum, Clifton and Danforth. Anonymous info can be passed along by calling 815-43-CRIME (7463).

Stolen vehicles have been recovered. Investigators say the vehicles entered or stolen have been unlocked or left unattended with the engines running.

Two Kankakee teens were arrested again last Friday for stealing another vehicle the night before from Ashkum.
Since the beginning of this year, city police have recovered five vehicles in eastern Kankakee that were stolen from Ashkum.

On Feb. 19, city police arrested three juveniles and an adult for stealing two vehicles the night before from the 400 and 500 blocks of East Fine Street in Ashkum. Both vehicles were located in Kankakee.

Iroquois County sheriff's police also reported vehicle thefts from Ashkum in January and February. Both vehicles were recovered in the same area as the others in eastern Kankakee.

Besides the stolen vehicle, Iroquois County sheriff's police reported items were stolen from several unlocked vehicles in Clifton. Another unlocked vehicle in Ashkum had items stolen from it, too.

Since the beginning of 2016, the Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force has handled 32 stolen vehicle cases. Twenty-five of the stolen vehicles have been found. Almost all of the stolen vehicles were unlocked with keys inside them.

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