It would appear New Sight Drive and Lott Smith Road residents needs to be extra vigilant when it comes to break-ins.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to one burglary and two attempted burglaries this week. A resident on Lott Smith Road reported that a glass door was broken and a would-be burglar had gone through belongings but nothing was missing.

A rear door was broken at another home on Lott Smith Road and guns were taken. Another resident was surprised when a man walked into her kitchen, apparently looking for an empty house to steal from.

Sheriff Steve Rushing said because the homes are all within a few miles of each other, he suspects it could be the same person in all three cases.

These crimes are similar to ones that took place in November of last year in the same area. At least three burglaries took place on Mt. Zion and Newell roads. Just like this week’s crimes, the burglars targeted houses during the day when they thought no one was home.

To our knowledge, arrests were never made in last year’s cases. And it’s easy to understand why. Unlike homes in the city, those in the rural parts of Lincoln County are typically not close to the road and the nearest neighbor might be a mile a way. So burglars don’t have to fear being spotted by a passer-by or a neighbor.

But that doesn’t mean someone didn’t see a suspicious vehicle. If they did, we encourage them to call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 601-833-5251 or CrimeStoppers at 601-823-0150. Tips to CrimeStoppers that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000.

Law enforcement can’t be everywhere at once — especially in the county — and often need the public’s help when it comes to solving these crimes.