GATE CITY — Authorities in Scott County are investigating a rash of burglaries they say have taken place in the Hiltons area over the last week and a half.
According to the Scott County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, a total of seven houses have been broken into in and around the Hiltons, Boozy Creek and Carter’s Valley communities over a week and a half.
The last break-in reportedly happened in Hiltons on Monday.
Scott County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Chris Holder said each of the burglaries has occurred during the day while the homeowners are away from their residence.
In each case, Holder said the suspect or suspects made off with any guns and jewelry they were able to come across.
Holder declined to provide further details due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Holder said authorities are advising residents in the area to take extra precautions to protect their residences while they are away and to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity around their or their neighbors’ homes.
The Hiltons break-ins follow a series of burglaries that have occurred in the Duffield area in recent months.
In the last month alone, Scott County authorities said more than a dozen home break-ins have taken place in Duffield, with several more happening in and around Nickelsville.
Holder said the burglaries in Duffield do not appear to be related to those in the Hiltons area.
Holder also asked any residents with information on the burglaries, or who notice suspicious persons or activity, to contact the Scott County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations at (276) 386-1351 or the Scott County Central Dispatch at (276) 386-9111.
