STERLING, Illinois -- Two garages were reportedly broken into in one night, according to police. Items were stolen from the first garage that was broken into, but then were recovered in the second garage.
The Whiteside County Sheriff's Office said the break-ins happened in the same neighborhood: one in the 3500 block of East 17th Street and the other in the 3900 block of Woodlawn Road; these homes are just a quarter-mile apart. It happened in the early morning hours of Sunday, December 17th.
Both garages were broken into via a side-entrance door. Lt. John Booker with the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office said both garages were broken into without permission and were entered in through a side entrance door.
"It's obviously the same people we're looking for," he said, confirming that the break-ins were connected.
Whoever broke in went through two vehicles that were parked in the garage and stole several things, according to the statement from the sheriff's department.
"Several stolen items from the first burglary were located and recovered from within the garage," read the statement. Lt. John Booker told News 8 that they did not know why the items were left in that second garage.
To better protect your belongings, the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office is reminding residents to lock your vehicles, garage doors, and other doors around your home.
Any information can be shared with Crime Stoppers at 815-625-7867 or the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office at 815-772-4044.