Police are investigating nine reports thus far of unlocked vehicles entered early Wednesday morning in Valmeyer, with money and miscellaneous small items stolen.

Shortly after 4:20 a.m., a resident leaving for work observed a subject wearing all black, including a hoodie, and carrying a flashlight in the area of Willow Ridge and Woodland Ridge. A short time later, another caller reported seeing this same subject jump into a silver SUV on North Cedar Bluff and drive off.

With Monroe County Sheriff’s Department deputies arriving quickly on scene in an attempt to stop the suspect vehicle, the silver SUV sped out of Valmeyer onto Bluff Road north into Columbia, where Columbia police also assisted. The SUV then took I-255 north to Exit 9 in Dupo, where it continued at a high rate of speed on Main Street in Dupo and onto Route 3 toward Cahokia, where officers trailing behind eventually lost sight of the vehicle.

An Illinois State Police crime scene services responded to assist Valmeyer police with an investigation into the thefts.

Valmeyer Police Chief Marty Seitz thanked the MCSD for its quick response to assist in this incident and issued a reminder for village residents to lock their vehicles overnight.

“I know we live in a safe and nice community but as a reminder, let’s not give these criminals the advantage of entering unlocked vehicles,” Seitz said. “Maybe if we lock up everything, they may one day get a real job and earn their money instead of taking from hardworking citizens.”

Anyone with information on these thefts is asked to call the Valmeyer Police Department at 618-935-2131.