An alleged car theft, and three reported burglaries in Dolores, including two at the same residence, have many residents worried.
At the Dolores Town Board workshop Monday, a group of 20 residents along with three victims expressed concern for community safety and pushed for improved communication and investigation from the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office.
Neal Cantin’s home on Eighth Street was reported burglarized twice in October while he and his family were sleeping, according to sheriff’s office reports.
On Oct. 13, Cantin reported that burglars entered an unlocked back door late at night and stole video game equipment, a camera, an iPad and a laptop, among other items.
The same night, a vehicle parked next door was reported burglarized, and a vehicle on Seventh Street was reported stolen. The vehicle was apparently returned, according to the owner, who reported to deputies that when he entered his car he noticed the gas tank was a quarter tank low and there were items inside that were unfamiliar.
Then on the night of Oct. 17, Cantin reported that his home was burglarized again during the night after the family had gone to bed. It was reported to sheriff investigators that someone pried opened a first-floor window to gain entry, then stole valuable jewelry and a television, among other items.
“At this point, we were getting pretty scared,” Cantin told the town board and Sheriff Steve Nowlin. His wife was so frightened, that she moved the family to a nearby hotel.
“I’m scared something might happen again,” she said.
A tense community discussion took place about the incidents with the sheriff during the workshop.
Nowlin said the cases are being taken seriously, and reported the investigation is ongoing. Investigators are looking into “persons of interest,” he said, but nobody has been arrested or charged.
“It’s an interesting situation. We’ve stepped up patrols in town, including on foot,” Nowlin said. “Due to the ongoing investigation, I can’t reveal everything.”
Cantin expressed frustration at the lack of communication on the status of his case from the sheriff’s office. He added that there should be outreach from victim’s services to his family as well.
“I feel there is a lack of follow-up,” he said.
Nowlin said he is looking into claims by Cantin of unprofessional behavior from his staff regarding the case. He added that a more experienced lead investigator was put on the case, and that fingerprints were dusted for at the site of the home burglary.
Residents urged the sheriff’s office to make more of an effort to communicate with them about crimes in Dolores.
“Let us know. Nobody warned us to be extra-careful,” said a woman who is a neighbor to the reported home burglary. She also said her car had been burglarized.
Said another local, “We’re a small community, and there is a presumption that when we call for information (about local crime) we will get a call back. When crime happens a block away, we expect a courtesy call.”
Nowlin said he understands the concerns and would work to improve communication. He would not describe the incidents as a “crime spree” and said in general Dolores and Montezuma county have low crime rates.
He cautioned residents not to let their guard down just because they live in a small, laid-back community like Dolores.
“This is a busy highway, with undesirables traveling through looking for opportunities,” he said. “Keep vehicles locked and remove valuables. Lock your doors and windows and report suspicious behavior.”
Resident Erica Messinger suggested that a Neighborhood Watch program be considered for Dolores. Installation of motion-detector lights was also advised.
“Get to know who lives next door, across the street behind you. Notice what vehicles they drive,” Messinger said. “Having extra eyes on our homes keeps everyone safer, and if we all have each others phone numbers, we can call when there is something that doesn’t look right, or a car that we don’t recognize.”
jmimiaga@the-journal.com