(KAIR)--Patrols are increased as one part of the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office’s stepped-up efforts to put an end to a rash of burglary and thefts.

However, Sheriff Jack Laurie says no suspects are yet identified, and with the crimes being committed at all hours of the day, and at various locations, investigators are having little luck in bringing the spree to an end. “We’ve experienced these types of things here and there, but not something that continues on. Such a diverse way of committing these crimes,” Laurie told MSC News during an interview on Friday, February 1.

Laurie said investigators aren’t ruling out a connection between any and all of the crimes. “We definitely believe that most of these are related, if not all of them.”

On Thursday, January 31, Laurie’s office received a report of a residential burglary and theft in Muscotah, believed to have occurred sometime between 7:15 that morning and 6:00 that evening.

Power tools were taken from the residence.

In Cummings, a resident reported Tuesday that someone burglarized his vehicle, taking a flashlight and a fixed blade knife.

Criminal damage was also committed in Cummings with the crime reported Thursday, and believed to have occurred during an attempted break-in. “They tried to make entry into a garage there, but were not successful. If they were scared off, or somebody did see somebody at that residence, and remembers seeing a vehicle there, we’d appreciate a phone call.”

Laurie is making a push for residents to protect themselves in an attempt to keep from falling victim as the unknown suspects continue their crimes, which range from residential burglaries to vehicle thefts. “Number one is lock the vehicles, lock the houses, and make sure they’re secure at night, and don’t leave your keys in the vehicle. If they have cameras, or some type of surveillance or alarm system, make sure they’re on and set and ready to go.”

Laurie said remaining aware of suspicious activity, and reporting it to his office, could help play a role in identifying suspects.

He encourages all residents to do that by calling his office at 913-804-6080.