According to Firearm Chronicles
While burglaries are greatly reduced during the COVID-19 emergency, mostly because people are now home pretty much all the time, otherr property crimes are still an issue. That’s unsurprising since, among other reasons, there are now fewer potential witnesses out and about.
Plus, we’re all asked to wear masks whenever we go out. That means masks don’t make anyone stand out, which is likely going to make solving some crimes rather interesting.
Criminals in medical masks are ransacking local businesses and it’s adding insult to injury to local businesses struggling in the wake of the crisis. “It made us feel disgusted,” said Evangeline Sutton, a spokesperson for Clement Auto Service.
At the dealership in St. John, nearly 10 masked men ransacked the place Sunday morning, doing damage and taking off with important papers and brand new truck. “I think it made us feel angry that they are doing this when we are just trying to stay afloat and service the community,” Sutton said.
St. Peters police say a gun store off I-70 was also recently hit by a thief. The culprit was wearing a face covering and blue medical gloves. “It’s not a surprise to me because it’s going around the country, on both coasts,” said former St. Louis County Police Chief and Councilmember Tim Fitch.
Police report a 20 percent increase in property crime over this time last year. Make no mistake, either, a 20 percent jump is significant.