The Martha's Vineyard Times

Thief targets cars parked near Tisbury's Veterans Memorial Park

September 5, 2012

A thief took advantage of a Monday night softball game to steal a wallet and purse from the inside of two cars parked next to each other at Veterans Memorial Park in Vineyard Haven on August 27.

Todd Hitchings told the police he parked his car in an area known as the salt lot off Lagoon Pond Road. He walked over to the field to play in that night's softball game when a friend, William Fielding, alerted him that a man was breaking into his car.

Mr. Fielding chased the man, who he described as a black male about five feet ten inches tall, wearing a dark shirt, jeans and a black hat, but was unable to catch the thief, who ran towards Ace Hardware store on Beach Road.

Tisbury Special Police Officer Jonathan Parker arrived around 8:55 pm and began a search of the area. Acting Sgt. Christopher Habekost and Officer Ryan Natichioni arrived to assist in the search for the suspected thief.

Mr. Hitchings told police the thief stole his brown Nautica tri-fold wallet containing $100 along with three credit cards and his driver's license.

While Mr. Hitchings spoke with Officer Parker, another victim, Amanda Hollyfield, came forward. She said her black Dakine clutch purse, which contained $2, a debit card and her driver's license, was missing from her friend's unlocked car, which had been parked next to Mr. Hitchings's car. Officer Parker advised her and Mr. Hitchings to cancel their missing credit and debit card accounts immediately.

On Tuesday this week, Tisbury police detective Mark Santon said the driver of a taxicab parked at the salt lot had also reported some missing items. "We're continuing to investigate and are making headway in the case," he said. "We have some solid leads, and recovered some of the property."

Police asked anyone with information to contact the Tisbury Police Department at 508-696-4240.