By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green Police Division is asking for the public’s help in solving who stole police uniforms from a local dry cleaning business.
“We have no suspects at this point,” Police Chief Tony Hetrick said this morning about the two Bowling Green police uniforms which were stolen Friday night during a breaking and entering at Long’s Dry Cleaners, 345 N. Maple Street, Bowling Green.
Multiple items were stolen including two different styles of uniforms worn by officers of the Bowling Green Police Division. Other city uniforms were also at the dry cleaners since the city contracts with that business to clean employees’ uniforms. But the police uniforms were the only ones stolen, Hetrick said.
“It would make me believe they knew what they were after,” Hetrick said this morning.
“We’re quite concerned about this,” the chief said. “Why would you take uniforms unless you are planning on impersonating an officer.”
Two uniforms were taken, one the current style with navy shirt and french blue pants, and the other being the new style with navy shirt and pants.
The stolen uniforms have police patches on the arms, however, they did not contain a badge or name plate. So the police division is advising that anyone interacting with someone in a Bowling Green police uniform should make sure the person is wearing a badge, which depicts the BGPD building on it, and the officer’s name plate. All officers are required to carry division identification as well.
Hetrick also said most uniformed officers use marked patrol cars.
Anyone who may have information related to this crime is asked to contact BGPD or Detective Brian Houser at 419-352-1131 or Wood County Crime Stoppers 419-352-0077. A reward may be offered if the information leads to a conviction.
“We do value the help of the community,” Hetrick said this morning, asking that citizens call in even “the smallest detail” which could help solve the case.
