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CRIME Break-ins average 4 a day Medford police add foot patrols, unmarked cars to catch thieves By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Feb. 29, 2016 @ 2:49 pm Updated Feb 29, 2016 at 4:34 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Feb. 29, 2016 @ 2:49 pm Updated Feb 29, 2016 at 4:34 PM --> Medford car break-ins Number of reported car break-ins in Medford for January and February over past seven years: 2016 - 247 2015 - 114 2014 - 221 2013 - 123 » Read more X Medford car break-ins Number of reported car break-ins in Medford for January and February over past seven years: 2016 - 247 2015 - 114 2014 - 221 2013 - 123 2012 - 140 2011 - 133 2010 - 98 — Source: Medford police » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Two months into 2016, Medford police are responding to an average of about four car break-ins a day, the highest number the department has recorded in at least seven years. "I think it's actually the result of just a few individuals who are being very active," Medford police Lt. Mike Budreau said . "They go out every night. They hit multiple vehicles, and they usually continue until they get caught or something in their life causes them to stop it. It's not that we have that many more thieves out and about this year." Agency data show there have been 247 reports of car break-ins around town since New Year's Day, 26 more than the previous record of 221 during the same period in 2014. There were 140 in 2012, 133 in 2011, 123 in 2013, 114 in 2015, and 98 in 2010, the data show. In most cases, the thieves haven't had to work very hard. Targeted vehicles have been unlocked, with an assortment of property left inside, including purses, wallets, driver's licenses, electronics, weapons, tools, cash. There also have been several reports of thieves breaking out windows, though police speculate that's probably a different group. Eighteen break-ins were reported this past weekend. Many of the break-ins occurred in east Medford, though they've been reported in all parts of town. Police say they have linked some of the break-ins to 18-year-old Javier Manuel Morales and 39-year-old Joseph Apolinar Garcia, who were arrested last week. Police said investigators found 45 pieces of property reported stolen from vehicles around Medford at the men's home in the 1000 block of Maple Park Drive on Feb. 22. Police also found two stolen all-terrain vehicles and additional property reported stolen from cars in Central Point. Morales remains in the Jackson County Jail on $100,000 bail, held on charges of unauthorized access into a motor vehicle and second-degree theft, jail records show. He pleaded not guilty to both charges at a Feb. 23 arraignment in Jackson County Circuit Court. Garcia is not in the jail and has no charges listed in court records related to the case. Investigators believe more car thieves are running free. "We have enough locations around the city that we certainly believe it's not just one or two individuals," Budreau said. Medford police have increased foot patrols and sent more unmarked vehicles around town to try and catch the thieves. "We're trying to do our best, but it's really hard to predict what neighborhood they're going to strike at what time," Budreau said. Police urge people to keep vehicle doors locked and to not leave valuable property inside. They're also asking everyone to keep an eye out and report any suspicious activity by calling 541-770-4784. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Feb. 29, 2016 @ 2:49 pm Updated Feb 29, 2016 at 4:34 PM » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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