Page 6A Tuesday, February 21, 2012 The Anniston Star

Northeast Alabama's Law Enforcement Community Billboard

A product of the marketing department of The Anniston Star

CALHOUN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE / www.calcoso.org

WANTED

THE CRIME BULLETIN

MISSING PERSONS (800) 228-7688

Hurst, Floyd Roger

Last Seen: Oxford, Alabama

Fuqua, Carla MichelleLast Seen:

Piedmont, Alabama

Steed, Karen Denise

Last Seen: Piedmont, Alabama

Jones, Jayson ELast Seen:

Birmingham, Alabama

Burrows, PatrickLast Seen:

Calhoun County, Alabama

3815 Leatherwood Plaza Hwy. 431 • (256) 236-1114Mon. - Fri. 8-5; Sat. 9-12 • Kurtnelson@cableone.net & mkkenny@cableone.net

www.annistonfireplaceandpatio.com

ANNISTONFIREPLACE & PATIO

Membership in Fort McClellan Credit Union is available for anyone who lives, works or attends school in the following counties: Calhoun, Cleburne, Etowah, Cherokee, St. Clair, Talladega, Clay, Randolph and Chambers.

FORT MCCLELLAN

CREDIT UNION

Apply At A Nearby Fort McClellan Credit Union

Anniston1731 Noble St.(256) 237-2113

Jacksonville1204 Church Ave. SE(256) 435-5741

RoanokeHwy. 431 N Bypass(334) 863-8902

OhatcheeIndian Village(256) 892-7129

Centre500 Cedar Bluff Rd. (256) 927-4203

BEFORE YOU SELL - GIVE US A TRY We Pay

More For...GOLD • SILVER

COINS • SCRAP • BULLION

OXFORD PAWN & GUN L.L.C.729 Snow Street • Oxford, AL • 256-831-8895

CAMELIO BRYANTObstruct justice (prob rev),

POM I (prob rev), Unl distribution (porb rev)

ERNEST CLAYFraudulent leasing

rental property

JAMIE GOMEZTraffi c cannabis

(prob rev)

TOMMY GRAHAMViolation protection

order (alias)

BRANDON LONGEscape II

DEBRA MCCULLARSTheft of property II

(prob rev)

LAQUINTA MITCHELLPossesion marij I (alias)

DONALD RIGGSViolation community

notifi cation act

MELANIE ROGERSMultiple NWNI

MELODY SAWYERMultiple NWNI

YOLANDA THOMASFrd leasing rental

prop(alias), NWNI (alias)

TERRELL WATTSRec stolen property III

(alias)

KENNETH WHITFIELDFTA-DUI, FTA-Obst govt op-ers, FTA-DUI, FTA-Drug para

RONITHIA WORSHAMMultiple NWNI

The Anniston Star Tuesday, February 21, 2012 Page 7A

ANNISTON POLICE DEPARTMENT www.annistonal.gov

WANTEDContact the Anniston Police Department at

256-240-4018

JAMES SMITH JRTWO FELONY AND FOUR MIS-

DEMEANOR WARRANTS

DARRELL BOYKINSPOSSESSION OF FORGED IN-

STRUMENT SECOND DEGREE

BILLIE THOMASTHEFT OF PROPERTY SECOND

DEGREE

DEVONTA JAMESTHEFT OF PROPERTY SECOND

DEGREE

QUINTORA CHATMANTHEFT OF PROPERTY SECOND

DEGREE

MONTREZBURTON

THEFT OF PROPERTY 2ND

MALCOLM BODISONVAUCSA DISTRIBUTION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

WILLIE JONESSEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION

AND NOTIFICATION

JOSEPH WHITETHEFT OF PROPERTY FIRST

DEGREE

MACK TRIPLETBURGLARY 3RD

CHRISTOPHER BISHOPTHEFT OF PROPERTY 2ND,

FRAUDULENT USE OF CREDIT CARD. & INTIMIDATING A WITNESS

The joys of the holidays are many: Sharing eggnog, exchanging presents, trim-ming the tree, contacting the police to report a robbery. The last one certainly isn’t a joy, but it’s an all-too common reality of the season. But the holidays aren’t the only times that home break-ins take place. There’s no telling what goes through the minds of thieves, and preparing for any situation is the way to avoid loss due to theft.

In the U.S., a home is robbed every 14.6 seconds, and the average dollar loss per burglary is $2,119, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Statistics Canada offers that break-ins are not only the most serious type of property crime committed in Canada, but they are also one of the most common. In 2009, there were more than 205,000 break-ins reported to the police, accounting for 15 percent of all property crimes.

Despite burglaries being down overall in numbers in both the U.S. and Canada, homeowners can still be diligent in their efforts to prevent break-ins and property loss. Here are some strategies for thwarting would-be thieves.

* Break down cardboard boxes. There’s no better way to tell thieves about all the new presents you received than by advertising them at the curbside. Burglars will see that empty television box or other expensive gadget boxes put out for pickup and have a clue about the new goodies inside the home. Instead, cut up the boxes and bundle them with newspapers so they are inconspicuous.

* Lock every door and window all the time -- including the garage. Many people fail to realize that the garage presents a great point of entry to the house, one that is private and away from the eyes of concerned neighbors. Once inside the garage, a thief can use tools in the garage to pick at the lock on an inside door to the home.

* Forget about hiding keys. Thieves know about all the places homeowners hide spare keys. You’re not fooling anyone with faux rocks or a key taped over the door. If you’re prone to forgetting your keys, leave a spare pair with a trusted neighbor instead.

* Don’t advertise your status on social network sites. You may be excited to share your vacation adventures with friends, but posting pictures of your vacation or tell-ing others about when you’re planning to leave the house can be dangerous. Even if you have your security settings locked down to only friends, the fewer people who know about your whereabouts the better. Your list of 200 friends may not be the closest friends anymore.

* Trim bushes and fi x lighting. Darkness and camoufl age are a thief’s best friends. Being able to hide behind shrubs to jimmy a window or lock hides him or her from others who may witness suspicious activity. Keep landscaping neat around door-ways and windows, and promptly replenish any burned-out bulbs.

* Don’t give burglars easy access. Leaving ladders or items that can turn into stepping stools enables thieves to reach any window or door of the house -- even upstairs windows that may be unlocked.

* Keep things out of easy view. Some people love the open look of drape-free windows. However, giving outsiders a clear view of the interior of your home can set you up for trouble, as it gives thieves a view of your valuables. Close the blinds after dark and especially when you’re leaving the home for a time.

There are many tactics to take to help protect your home and belongings from being stolen. Employ these tips during the holidays and year-round.

Prevent home break-ins any time of the year