"To all citizens, we need your help again,” says Sheriff Adell Dobey.

Due to an increase in the number of larcenies spread throughout Edgefield County, the sheriff is again asking citizens to be on the look-out for any suspicious activity happening in or around their neighborhoods.

Since the arrest of suspected burglar Robert Anthony Webber in June, 2009, there have been 13 reported burglaries and 34 larcenies, including five burglaries and 11 larcenies in the month of August alone. The types of property stolen have included vehicles, utility trailers, generators, golf carts, lawn mowers, ATVs, tools, jewelry, electronics, farm equipment (tractors and backhoes) and cash.

The majority of these larcenies are not the result of house break-ins. These larcenies have been occurring in yards, unlocked garages, barns, carports, on farm land, storage buildings and at weekend residences. Five of the larcenies were the result of automobile break-ins.

Please take steps necessary to secure your property when it is not in use. Do not leave any items of value visible in your vehicles. Regularly check on other properties that you may own or lease, as well as pond houses and weekend residences. Take all the necessary steps to protect yourself, family and property.

With the limited amount of manpower, deputies patrolling the county cannot be everywhere at one time. To address this problem, Sheriff Dobey is again asking extra deputies to work overtime to increase patrols in the county, during this outbreak of larcenies. The sheriff’s office is committed to protecting the property of Edgefield County citizens.

On Aug. 21, a witness gave the sheriff’s office a description of a vehicle speeding from the witness’s property on Little Lane, North Augusta, with a stolen concrete mixer. The vehicle was described as a mid 90s Dodge Caravan, green in color, pulling a utility trailer.

Please, if you see anything the least bit suspicious, such as a vehicle driving slowly through your neighborhood, parked on the side of the road, especially close to a house, making repeated trips through your neighborhood, or any vehicle pulling a utility trailer loaded with property that appears suspicious, don’t hesitate in calling the sheriff’s office.

You may remain anonymous if you wish, as all the information and tips are investigated.

You are the first line of defense in these types of crimes. You are our eyes and ears and we need your help. Be observant and get as many details as you can about a vehicle(s), such as the color, type, year, tag number, direction of travel, and a description of the person(s) in the vehicle. This is all the information we need to work together.

When calling 911 from a cellular phone, please be aware that we may not receive all these calls due to your location and the location of the cellular towers. If you are in the Aiken, North Augusta, or McCormick areas, your call may transfer to those counties.

If you are unsure, please dial 803-637-5337 or 803-278-1625. Please program these numbers in your cellular phone.

If anyone has any questions, comments, information about these crimes, or any crime, you are asked to call the sheriff’s office. Again, anyone calling may remain anonymous and thank you for your help.