By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing

(Sept. 10, 2020) Berlin residents have complained that bicycles, wagons, skateboards and surfboards have been stolen from Burley and Bay Streets recently.

“With bicycles, sometimes people take them because they see them in the yard, and it’s a convenience for them to get wherever they want. Then, they just ditch the bicycles wherever,” said Police Chief Arnold Downing.

Some of the stolen objects have been found on Washington Street, residents said.

Downing said the Berlin Police Department received reports of the theft of three bicycles, one fishing rod and three surfboards between June and September from Burley Street, Westminster Drive and Powellton Avenue.

“The individual on Westminster was arrested,” Downing said.

He added that the stolen items were not placed in secure sheds.

“The biggest thing is to go ahead and secure [items]. That means go ahead and put a lock on their sheds and to go ahead and close the garage,” Downing said. “When people ride past garages, and they see the item, it’s very inviting. So, not only is it not secure, they are looking right at it.”

He added that Berlin residents should not leave surfboards on top of their vehicles in the evening unattended.

“It’s best to bring the boards in or put them inside the shed,” Downing said.

Another tip Downing had was to check sheds and garages regularly to ensure they are locked and to take inventory of what items are inside.

“If you wait two months to go and check on things, it becomes a little bit more difficult to range when it might have occurred,” he said.

Additionally, Downing suggested installing lighting above sheds to deter people from stealing valuable items such as lawn mowers and tools.

Regardless of the value, the police advise residents to take everything out of their cars, from spare change to phone chargers, to prevent their vehicles being broken into.

Downing encourages residents to report all stolen items by calling the Berlin Police Department at 410-641-1333.

“Our dispatcher’s always available 24/7,” he said. “They can also go ahead and direct you to a supervisor or officer that can go exactly on the scene and might be able to collect any evidence or talk to your neighbors in reference to seeing anything.

“It’s very important to go ahead and report it … the value itself might not be very big, but again it might solve a case that is big,” Downing continued.

Other items that have been stolen in the past include laptops, purses and bank bags that were left in vehicles over night, he said.

When residents or visitors ride bikes downtown to eat or shop, Downing reminds them to secure their bikes on bike racks throughout the area rather than on lampposts in town.

Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director, said there are bike racks next to the Berlin Welcome Center, across the street from Baked Dessert Café, by the Worcester County Arts Council and at the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum.