Car Clotting Crimes Still an Issue in 2021 in Jefferson County

(Festus) Car clotting crimes spiked in Jefferson County last year.

On several occasions groups of criminals, typically from St. Louis City or County, swept through local neighborhoods to check and see if they could steal any valuable items from vehicles left unlocked.

In addition, those criminals would often steal vehicles that had keys left inside.

Festus Police Chief Tim Lewis says the car clotting criminals are picking right back up in 2021 where they left off in 2020.

A few vehicles, that were left unlocked and running, were stolen recently.

We asked Chief Lewis why these criminals are coming down from St. Louis to loot vehicles.

Police have stepped up patrols in Festus and across Jefferson County in an effort to catch car clotting suspects.