Libby’s wallets have been lighter lately as a string of car thefts continues. Area police say the culprit — or culprits — targets unlocked cars at night in search of cash and coins. While readily available in some instances, higher value items are left behind. While the loss of cash is an annoyance for victims, the greater loss is the sense of security people feel in a small community like Libby.

“It is a violation of the relaxed environment we live in,” Lincoln County Deputy Boyd White said. “Every night we are out there trying to find who is doing this. We definitely have some people of interest, and we are checking the areas that are being hit.”

White said the crimes occur in spurts around the area. During the last three months there have been reports of overnight car thefts in nearly every corner of Libby. White said the Woodway area is currently being targeted.

“They took $80 from my center console,” Michelle Nixon, who lives in Woodway Park, said. “I just hit the cash machine and left it in my car overnight. I parked right in front of my house. I used to leave my car unlocked, but I don’t anymore. Another car in front of my place had all the change taken.”

A perusal of local social media reveals just about everyone has a relative who has been victimized this year. Even Deputy White said his wife’s car was shuffled through.

“She went out the next morning and found the dome light on and the glove box open,” White said. “We don’t leave anything in our cars, so whoever it was didn’t take anything. But they hit both of my daughters, who live in different places, as well. The community really needs to be on the defensive.”

White said it is possible that the perpetrators are transients. Several cases under investigation occurred in areas where suspects were camping on county property. Other cases occurred in areas where suspects were living in abandoned trailers, campers or shacks. White requested that anyone noticing people camping in unusual locations inform police. The Sheriff’s Office also requests that all victims report their loss. While the report may not lead to reimbursement of lost cash, information on targeted locations could lead to an arrest.

“It is frustrating to see the community being victimized,” White said. “We want to take care of it for them.”

A press release from the Sheriff’s Office requests that everyone lock their cars at night, keep all cash, coins, checkbooks, credit cards and other valuables locked inside and be on the lookout for suspicious activity. Most thefts occur between midnight and 6 a.m.