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I've been hearing some unsettling rumblings around town about this bicycle bandit.
You know, he's the guy who breaks into houses while the occupants are asleep. Evidence shows he's made many of his getaways on a bicycle. There have been 70 incidents of sightings, break-ins or attempted break-ins.
In a dozen or so, entry was forced. In another dozen or so, entry was forced and no one was home. In the rest of the cases, the guy just walked in through an unlocked door.
There have been a couple confrontations with homeowners. One victim was punched in the face.
The unsettling things I've heard revolve around the local cops' handling of the case. People seem a bit disappointed that the guy hasn't been caught.
I got a letter to the editor the other day - improperly submitted, hence not published. It was highly critical of the local police department and its apparent lack of crime-solving skills.
I don't think this is a case of bad police work. I think it's a case of a very crafty crook.
Craig Allebach, chief of the Warsaw Police Department, notes that the department has boosted man hours by 25 percent in an effort to come up with an arrest.
State and county cops also are involved in the investigation.
The Warsaw department used a community policing grant, but those funds ran out. Detectives are volunteering their time now, and some overtime hours are still being worked.
"We're trying to do everything we can, following up every lead," Allebach said. He said they even had a suspect and they staked him out. But while the cops were watching him, another burglary took place.
There are several other suspects, "But we don't really have enough to bring anyone in," Allebach said. "We have a couple suspects we can't even find during the day, let alone during the middle of the night. We're just as frustrated as anybody else."
Allebach urged everyone to keep doors and windows locked. That should be a lot easier now that the weather's cooler and people don't have windows open over night.
He also urged everybody to exercise caution first if you think you are a victim.
Nobody wants to cave in their loved one's face with a ball bat in the middle of the night. Communicate with family members. Make sure that if they're coming home late they identify themselves.
If you do become a victim, think twice about the use of deadly force, Allebach advises. "There is nothing to indicate that this guy carries a weapon. When he's confronted, he usually runs," he said.
So if you hear something go bump in the night, err on the side of caution. Dial 911 and report it. The local police will be right there.
If you are confronted in your home, Allebach says pepper spray is a good choice to defend yourself.
My read on this guy is that he's pretty smart in a deviant kind of way. He knows that he has to be caught red-handed. Once he's out of a home and throws away the purse or wallet he's stolen, there's really no law against walking around with a lot of cash, is there?
"Definitely, this is not poor police work," Warsaw Mayor Jeff Plank said. "The guy knows what he's doing and he's enjoying the game. Obviously he wants the money, but he loves the game. The city is his chessboard - he moves, we move - but sooner or later we'll checkmate."
And "I'd be really disappointed if he rode his bicycle across U.S. 30 and got hit by a truck. I'd really like to talk to this guy," Plank said.
Then Plank offered these words of wisdom, knowing that the onset of hunting season will have the deer in a bit more active mood than usual.
"Sometime as he's running through a field behind one of his victim's houses, perhaps he'll run into a 12-point buck. Hopefully the animal will either gore him or attempt to mate with him."
But seriously, folks, now is a time for caution - a time for a sense of community.
One of my co-workers noted that he couldn't ever remember seeing his neighbors out talking to each other so often.
My sincere hope is that no innocent person gets hurt. I hope everybody uses their heads. A gun has been pointed at a cop during this ordeal. Cops have been chased.
So let's work together. Lock doors. Lock windows. Watch out for your neighbors. Be alert.
But most importantly: Let's be careful out there.
