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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Police Department
Mike Ceynowa, Chief of Police
2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact:
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
DATE: 6/22/2011
SUBJECT: Police Arrest Suspects in Several Vehicle Prowls/Burglaries
BY: DPD Public Information Officer Jim Hansen
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Vehicle Prowl/Burglary Arrests
CASE NO.: 11041170
INCIDENT DATE: 6/21/2011
INCIDENT TIME: 1:14AM
INCIDENT LOCATION: 3000 block of Minnesota Avenue
SUBJECT: Police Arrest Suspects in Several Vehicle Prowls/Burglaries
BY: DPD Public Information Officer Jim Hansen
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Vehicle Prowl/Burglary Arrests
CASE NO.: 11041170
INCIDENT DATE: 6/21/2011
INCIDENT TIME: 1:14AM
INCIDENT LOCATION: 3000 block of Minnesota Avenue
On Tuesday June 21st, 2011 at 1:14AM Duluth Police officers were called to a possible vehicle prowl in progress in the 3000 block of Minnesota Avenue. The caller found the roof of his car had been cut open and the multi-tool that was believed to have been used was left behind.
Several officers arrived in the area a short time later and found Guy Rabold, a 20 year old male resident of Duluth and Theodore Thilmany, a 20 year old resident of Duluth, walking on the beach nearby. An officer noticed that Thilmany had a fresh cut on his finger and an empty multi-tool case on his belt. They had property on them from the original caller’s vehicle and backpacks full of more suspected stolen property.
Subsequent investigation revealed that Rabold and Thilmany were involved in 32 car prowls and 3 burglaries related to this case and 2 other vehicle prowls that occurred in the city of Proctor. Rabold is currently on probation for a theft related case.
Both admitted that a number of items that they stole were left behind on Park Point near residences. If anyone finds these items or have found items missing from their vehicles, they are asked to contact Investigator Jeanine Pauly of the Duluth Police Property Crimes Unit at (218) 730-5432.
Both Rabold and Thilmany were lodged at the St. Louis County Jail on charges of 3rd Degree Burglary (3 counts), Felony Theft, Felony Possession of Stolen Property, 1st Degree Criminal Damage to Property and Motor Vehicle Tampering.
PREVENTION
Duluth has seen an increase in vehicle prowls. Most vehicle prowls are crimes of opportunity and happen during the evening or night hours, but can also happen during daylight hours. Areas where multiple vehicles can be targeted are popular with prowlers, areas where vehicles are parked unattended for short periods of time on a regular basis such as: mall or business parking lots, theater lots, hiking/bike trail lots, Lakewalk or Park lots, etc.
Just locking a vehicle doesn’t deter a prowler if something valuable can be seen inside. Many vehicle prowls have had a window smashed out because valuables such as purses and electronics could be seen inside.
The following prevention can help reduce the chances of your vehicle being prowled:
- Keep the interior of your car “clean”. Don’t leave valuables, including purses, wallets, briefcases, laptops, cell phones, GPS, firearms, etc., in plain view.
- If you leave valuables in your car, put them in the trunk before you get to your destination. Prowlers will “stake out” parking lots and watch as victims hide purses, electronics and other valuables, under seats or in trunks.
- Park in busy, well lit areas. Avoid parking near anything that limits visibility like dumpsters, large vans or trucks, or wooded areas.
- Before leaving your car parked, remove the keys, roll up windows, lock the car and set the alarm. Keep your keys with you.
- Don’t leave credit cards, bank cards, identification or personal information in your car.
- At home if possible, park your car in a closed and locked garage. If parked in a car port or parked near your house, leave an outside light on. Motion detectors are good psychological deterrents, causing a car prowler to think that someone has them when the light comes on. Lights make the car prowler more visible.
- Create visibility. If you park on the street, choose a well-lit, open space. Trim back trees or bushes that block the view of your vehicle.
If you observe suspicious activity or a vehicle prowl in progress, or you are a victim of a vehicle prowl, call 9-1-1. Police ask that citizens practice these prevention tips so that they can reduce the number of vehicle prowls occurring in Duluth.
Guy Rabold
Theodore Thilmany