The Centralia Police Department is investigating the theft of three 1990s Hondas stolen sometime over Monday night and early Tuesday morning.
Officer Angie Humphrey confirmed that one of the cars had been recovered, but that it was likely driven to the location of another vehicle, which was also then stolen.
According to police reports, at 5:49 a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to the 1400 block of Jensen Avenue for the theft of a 1994 Honda Civic; at 6:33 a.m. Tuesday, they responded to the 1000 block of Elm Street for the theft of a 1993 Honda Accord; and at 9:50 a.m. Tuesday, they responded to the 1400 block of Johnson Road for the theft of a 1997 Honda Civic.
All the vehicles were stolen overnight, and were reported after the owners woke up in the morning and realized they were gone.
Two individuals were caught on camera trying to steal a van in the 1200 block of North Scheuber Road, but were scared off when the van’s alarm was activated.
That was reported to police at 4:50 a.m. Tuesday. Humphrey said it’s uncertain whether the attempted theft had any connection to the other three.
She said when so many vehicles are taken in a short amount of time, the crimes are often committed by the same offenders.
Older vehicles — like 1990s Hondas — are common targets because they’re easier to steal, she said.
Humphrey recommended that anyone with an older Honda, or similar car, lock the vehicle up in a garage or find some way to disable it when it’s not in use to discourage thieves.
