When someone saw a group of people rummaging in a parked tractor-trailer on Hickory Mill Road in western Demopolis on Tuesday, they contacted the Demopolis Police Department.

Patrol Supervisor Derrick Carter responded and caught six Demopolis men alleged to have attempted to make off with boat parts for resale as scrap.

After a brief foot pursuit, all six were rounded up.

Arrested were James Green, 19,; John Anthony Gilbert, 22; Tywan Campbell, 25; Terrence McNealy, 22; Jarvis Wilson, 24; and Jarvis Robertson, 20. Each was charged with unlawful breaking and entering of a vehicle, and McNealy was also charged with possession of burglary tools.

“This has been an ongoing problem,” said DPD interim chief Tim Williams. “We’re trying to get the word out to the public about this.”

Williams said that there have been a number of reports of thefts of varied items, and that citizens can help themselves by reporting suspicious activity and making sure their property is secure.

“A lot of times, we’ll have people on the streets just looking into cars,” he said. “If they see something they want, they will check the door, and if it’s open, they’ll just reach in and grab whatever it is. Technically, it’s breaking and entering, although they didn’t really break into the car. They just opened the door.”

Detective Sergeant Tim Soronen added that property found in unattended houses or in a field can be easy pickings.

“If there is property left in a field, someone will go get it and take it to the scrap yard and get money for it,” he said.

“We’re asking people to try to secure their property better,” Williams said. “We are doing the best we can to stop this, and people can help us by letting us know when they see something out of the ordinary.”

Williams said that people may feel safe in a small town, but they need to lock their cars while they are parked and lock their houses when they are out.

“If you know your neighborhood, you will know when something is not right,” Sorenson said. “If you want your neighbor to watch out for you, then you also need to watch out for your neighbor.”

“A lot of times, people say, ‘It didn’t look right to me when I saw it,” Williams said. “We always say, ‘If it looks like a duck, and walks like a duck and talks like a duck, chances are that it’s a duck.’ That means that if it looks like there is something wrong going on, then it probably is, and people need to give us a call.”

Sorenson said that people can call the DPD tip line at (334) 289-1475 and leave anonymous tips if they see something suspicious. People can also call the police station at (334) 289-3073.