Update (6:00 p.m. Feb. 2 2021):
Only a few hours after requesting the public’s assistance, the Cody Police Department has detained a person of interest in the wave of vehicle burglaries reported in Cody – and they had some help above and beyond what was expected.
On Monday, February 1, 2021, at approximately 9:30 P.M., Cody Police Officers were dispatched to the 1100 Block of 31st Street on the report of a citizen detaining 31-year-old Bryan Nihei of Powell.
The citizen caught the suspect rummaging through a vehicle. The citizen confronted the burglar, who fled on foot. After a brief chase, the citizen subdued and detained Nihei until officers arrived.
The incidents are still under investigation, but Nihei has been arrested for Auto Burglary and an unrelated arrest warrant.
Original Story:
A new epidemic seems to be sweeping through Cody – vehicle burglaries.
The Cody Police Department is once again asking for the public’s assistance in identifying and stopping the person or persons behind a wave of vehicle burglaries. In the past few weeks, the department has received nearly 25 reports of vehicle burglaries.
At this point, law enforcement is only looking for one suspect. Photos captured on home surveillance cameras show the burglar wearing a hood sweatshirt, low-riding jeans, and boots or shoes with black toes.
Auto burglaries occur with enough frequency to be considered a potent problem in Park County. Similar waves of vehicle break-ins were reported in Powell last October and in Cody last summer.
There are a number of simple steps the Cody Police Department recommends you take to avoid vehicle burglaries. Locking your vehicle and making sure the windows are fully closed are the obvious steps to take, but in addition:
- Never leave your vehicle idling and unattended.
- If you have a garage, use it. And lock that door as well.
- Never leave your car keys in highly visible areas.
- Keep your vehicle registration with you, rather than leaving it in the glove box. It’s an important piece of paperwork and will be helpful with any investigation.
- Park in well-lit areas
- Don’t leave valuable objects, like phones or other technology, in plain sight inside your vehicle.
- Charging cords can be enough to entice a burglar to break into your vehicle. Hide them away when not in use.
If you are a victim of this recent spree of vehicle burglaries, contact the Cody Police Department at (307) 527-8700.
