Thousands of dollars in tools stolen from Johnson Co. man's truck, sheriff says similar thefts are on the rise

GREENWOOD — The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office says they are noticing a rise in car break-ins.

Over the last 30 days, Johnson County Sheriff Duane Burges says his department has had an increase in the number of car break-in and theft reports, especially in the Franklin and Whiteland areas.

"You have multiple agencies in central Indiana who are seeing a rise in car break-ins and it's disheartening," Burgess said.

The department says it’s not just happening in Johnson County – it's all over central Indiana.

They believe some of these thieves are coming from Indianapolis and nd they say some of these crimes can happen in spurts.

Center Grove resident Matthew Schwier says thousands of dollars worth of tools were stolen from his truck while he was sitting inside his home with his family.

“Went to get back in the cab that something was missing, all my hand tools were missing,” Matthew Schwier said.

Schwier, who has worked for Star Heating and Cooling for the last 9 years, says the stolen tools were something he needs to do his job.

"Without our tools we are worthless to everybody, there is no reason to work," Schwier said.

A report was filed with the sheriff’s office for the tools, which he says were valued at nearly $3,000. They still haven’t been found.

Schwier tells WRTV the tools have been replaced, but it isn't the theft that bothers him the most.

“It wasn’t that the tools were stolen, it was that somebody was that close to my house," Schwier said. "In my yard, my children inside. The tools weren’t really the big deal it was knowing that the peace of mind wasn’t there at that time."

The Johnson County Sheriff's Department says the thefts should be a reminder to residents to lock their doors and keep their valuables hidden.

Anyone with information about the string of thefts should contact the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.