Police Deal With Two Stolen Trucks

EDGEWOOD—A couple of incidents in the past week involving missing pickup trucks may serve as reminder that rural life is not always carefree.

That especially goes for personal property security measures, Edgewood Police Chief Henry Askew said Wednesday.

"People need to understand we still live in the real world out here," he said. "The days of leaving your door unlocked and your keys in the vehicle are over."

On Tuesday, Edgewood police investigated a report of a 2006 Dodge STX pickup from the 700 block of Crooked Creek Drive.

Officer Robert Dearing said the owner stated not only was the truck stolen, but also his wallet and about $2,500 in tools, all of which were inside the truck.

"The owner said it was left unlocked with the keys in it. It was a theft of opportunity," Dearing said.

On June 28, Edgewood police recovered a Nissan truck, which had been reported stolen, in the parking lot at David’s Grocery.

The owner of the truck, a Terrell resident, was notified it had been found and secured by Perry’s Towing.

Askew urged residents to be "safety-conscious" and lock their vehicles.

"We may be considered a rural area, but Highway 80 does run through here," he said.

"With the economy hurting so many people right now, theft is likely going to rise. When money gets this tight, you have some people who will start to steal.

"So far, we’ve been lucky and not had a lot of it happening here," Askew said.

He also urged residents seeing or hearing any unusual activity to call the Edgewood Police Department or Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office at that moment.

Askew said although the police department office is not open 24 hours, there is an officer available at all times.