Thieves targeting unlocked cars in C-Falls

Thieves were on the loose in Columbia Falls this week, according to the Columbia Falls Police Department logs. A woman reported someone stole her unlocked pickup truck. It was located later by railroad workers near the tracks and a tow company brought the vehicle home.

Nearby, thieves stole a rifle and a pistol from an unlocked truck. Another caller reported his work truck had been entered and a pistol and can of bear spray were stolen.

A man called the police to report a missing wallet after he lost it. He said his and his wife’s driver’s licenses were inside as well as credit cards and $120.

A person staying at home due to an affliction with COVID-19 said someone was snooping in the mailbox. The caller requested extra patrols and was asked to call if it happened again.

An officer helped out a person with car trouble.

A man was arrested after an off-duty police officer watched him drive away from a gas station with the pump still in the tank. He drove recklessly, swerving across lanes and driving well under the speed limit.

A car’s cup holder accidentally called 911.

A woman who reported her wallet stolen said a credit card had been used for fraudulent charges, including to play online games.

A 911 dispatcher heard a child yelling “Called 911” and another child yelling “No!” On the call back, the dispatcher spoke with a 3-year-old boy’s father who said his son got his hands on his phone.

The son of a Florida law officer stopped at the department to see if he could trade patches.