Hamilton County, TN – Earlier this morning, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division hosted a press conference in the Stillwater Subdivision to discuss the alarming number of firearms stolen from vehicles in the unincorporated areas of Hamilton County. The Stillwater Subdivision has been one of the hardest hit subdivisions since the rash of thefts occurred.

Today’s press conference highlighted the fact that since August 1st of 2020, (13) firearms have been stolen from vehicles in the unincorporated areas of Hamilton County. All of these vehicles were believed to be unlocked at the time of the theft.

The HCSO Criminal Investigations Division recommends the following precautions to ensure your firearms and your property are protected.

• Always remove your firearm from your vehicle when you exit and secure it safely in your residence

• Never leave your firearm unattended where thieves or small children can gain access to it

• Always lock and remove any valuables or weapons from your vehicle when not in use

(Purses, wallets, Ipods, laptops, external GPS systems, and cell phones, etc)

• Consider installing an alarm system and exterior cameras for added security

• Always keep your home locked, even when you are inside

• Never leave your lawn equipment out when not in use such as gas blowers, weed-eaters, or other valuable items that can easily stolen

A video has been provided on our Facebook page by our detectives depicting one of the thefts caught on a homeowner’s camera system in a subdivision in East Hamilton County. Anyone with any information regarding the recent car break-ins, the identity of the individual in the attached video, or any residential camera footage showing the suspects in their neighborhood should contact our HCSO Criminal Investigations Division at 423-209-8500 or submit a tip online at http://www.hcsheriff.gov/cid/cid_feedback/feedback.php.

The HCSO encourages residents to immediately report any suspicious or illegal activity in your community to your local law enforcement agency. This is the best way to prevent crime in your community or subdivision.

For emergencies, please call 911. Residents may also call the HCSO non-emergency number 423-622-0022 for any other questions or concerns.