Vehicle theft and car burglaries continue to plague communities across the country. What you see, however, could make a difference in identifying a suspect.
If you see any type of theft in progress, it is important to keep a safe distance and avoid confrontation. Call 9-1-1 once you are in a safe place, and make note of the traditional identifiers like age, sex, race, height, and weight. While these descriptions are useful in establishing the basics, more detailed information will help officers when searching a crowd.
Clothing is key in this type of situation. Describe the color and style of each article of clothing. Note if a hat is worn with the bill pointed forwards or backwards. Does the dress or shirt have long sleeves, short sleeves, or no sleeves? Are the thieves wearing pants or shorts? Is the material denim or khaki? What is the type and brand of shoes?
Specific identifiers like tattoos and hair color are also critical. Where are the tattoos located? What is the color and length of hair? Does the person have a beard or mustache?
While witnesses many not recall all identifiers when faced with a high stress situation, recalling some combination of these will help police when attempting to apprehend a suspect.