Tama County Sheriff's Office stock image/TAMA-GRUNDY PUBLISHING

Telegraph Note: This story will publish in the Friday, Sept. 5 print edition.

TRAER – Reports of illegal entry last month in the town of Traer are still under investigation.

Back on Aug. 23, the Tama County Sheriff’s Office issued a ‘Public Safety Alert’ on Facebook, announcing, “We’ve had reports of someone entering homes in Traer, including one where a front door was kicked in. Not all of these incidents are being reported, which makes it harder for us to act.”

This past Monday (Labor Day), Chief Deputy Joe Quandt told the newspaper the cases are “still being investigated.”

On Aug. 21, Alexis Hillman, who indicated she lived in the 800 block of Second Street, posted a trio of photos on the Facebook group In The Loop – Traer, IA which showed damage to her front door’s lock mechanism and hinges. She said she believed the damage took place between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.

“I came home today and this is what my front door looked like,” she wrote.

Landon Flickinger later commented on Hillman’s post, indicating his mother’s home in the 900 block was also broken into that same night.

“The back door was unlocked though,” Flickinger wrote. “Her purse was gone through and credit/debit cards were taken along with restaurant gift cards. She was home sleeping. … Any information would be greatly appreciated.”

At the time of the Sheriff’s Office’s initial announcement, anyone with camera footage connected to the break-ins or who had witnessed “anything suspicious” was asked to call the non-emergency number 641-484-4111.

“Even small details help,” the Sheriff’s Office added. “We urge everyone in Tama County to always report suspicious activity and stay diligent.”

After this story went to press, Sheriff Schmidt answered a series of questions on Tuesday, Sept. 2, via email regarding the break-ins. His responses are printed below in their entirety.

How many home break-ins have been reported in Traer recently? When did they happen? Were any businesses hit? Are the suspects targeting specific homes?

Since July 28, we’ve had five reported home break-ins in Traer. The most recent was reported on September 1. At this time, no businesses have been targeted. All of the incidents have involved residential properties.

There is no clear pattern in the types of homes being hit. In several cases, suspects entered through unlocked doors, which suggests they are looking for easy access rather than targeting specific homes.

I want to thank the residents of Traer for being proactive. You have been excellent about reporting suspicious activity, and that makes a huge difference. We encourage everyone to continue doing that. If something does not feel right, call us. We cannot investigate what we do not know about. While social media can raise awareness, it is not a substitute for reporting directly to law enforcement.

Can you describe how these break-ins are happening? Are things being stolen or damaged? What time of day are they happening?

Most of the time, suspects are getting in through unlocked doors. We have had one case involving forced entry through a front door, but that has been the exception. The homes are not being torn apart, but personal items are being taken. These include credit cards, financial documents, and identification. These are serious thefts that can lead to long-term consequences for the victims.

The timing of these incidents varies. Some may be happening during the day when people are away from home. That is why we are asking everyone to stay alert and take simple precautions like locking doors and checking in with neighbors.

Should Traer residents be concerned? What can they do to stay safe?

It is completely understandable that people are concerned. This kind of activity affects your sense of safety. But I want to make it clear to everyone that we are and have been actively working this case and making progress. My deputies have done an outstanding job. They have been putting in the time, following leads, and doing everything they can to move this investigation forward. I am proud of the work they are doing.

We are asking residents to stay vigilant. Lock your homes and vehicles. Pay attention to what is happening in your neighborhood. And most importantly, report anything suspicious directly to us. We have seen posts on social media about suspicious activity that were never reported to our office. If we do not know about it, we cannot act on it. A quick phone call can make all the difference.

Any leads on who is responsible?

Yes, we have identified suspects and are now working to tie everything together so we can move forward with charges. We are confident in the direction this case is heading and appreciate the community’s patience as we continue to build a strong case.

Again, I want to thank the deputies who have been working this case. They have stepped up in a big way, and their commitment to this community and the justice that is deserved is something I am incredibly proud of. And to the residents of Traer, thank you for staying alert, reporting what you see, and helping us keep this town safe.