On 10/16/11, at approximately 9:45 AM, officers with the Benton Police Department responded to the I-30 Pawn Shop (15508 I-30) on report of a suspicious person.  Upon arrival, officers made contact with and individual behind the business, later identified as Kelsey Lancaster (W/M, 29 YOA). 

    During their investigation it was determined the business had been burglarized.  Lancaster was subsequently charged with Commercial Burglary and Theft of Property.  Additionally, it was determined that he had two outstanding warrants out of Benton PD and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office. 

    Lancaster was transported to the Saline County Detention Facility for processing without incident.  Anybody with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 778-1171 or 315-TIPS. 

    There has been an increase in property crimes this year with Residential Burglary cases up 25% and Auto Theft cases up 46% year-to-date.  We want to encourage citizens to please remain vigilant and to report anything out of the ordinary to the police department.  If something appears strange or unusual then please do not hesitate to call 911, because we would rather investigate something that turns out to be a false alarm than miss the opportunity to catch criminals in the act. 

    The importance of making sure you look out for your neighbor is paramount in these situations.  The formation of a Neighborhood Watch program is one step towards this goal.  By forming a neighborhood watch group you learn who your neighbors are and it makes it easier to determine when something appears out of the ordinary. 

    For more information about forming a neighborhood watch group you may go to the National Neighborhood Watch Institutes website at: www.nnwi.org or call the Benton Police Department at 776-5948.