1 arrested in rash of thefts from vehicles

The Warsaw Police Department reports that it has investigated more than two dozen thefts from parked vehicles in the past two weeks.

The items taken include purses, wallets, laptop computers and other electronic devices.

One person has been arrested on a criminal trespassing charge. Police said Gene M. Poe, 28, of South Washington Street, was arrested Friday after one of the victims reported seeing him in his vehicle, the police said in a written statement issued Monday.

It said Poe had items in his pockets that implicate him in several other thefts and that additional charges are expected. Others might also be charged, police said.

Most of the thefts occurred to unlocked vehicles at or near the owner’s residence, the police statement said. It said some vehicles were broken into to gain access when the article was visible.

“The best practice is to not leave purses, wallets, or electronics of any kind in vehicles when unattended,” the statement said.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call the Warsaw Police Department Investigations Division at 574-372-9538.