Cabins at "Lost 40" Recreational Area Burglarized

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Perry County sheriff's deputies are investigating a number of burglaries and breakins of cabins in the "Lost 40" recreational area between Du Quoin and Pinckneyville.

Deputies say the breakins probably occurred overnight Tuesday. They were also taking reports of burglaries east of Pinckneyville in the Holts Prairie area.

Sheriff Kellerman stated a $500 reward is being offer for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of subjects involved in these burglaries. Also citizens are asked to report any suspicious activity and always help out by watching out for other peoples property.

The burglaries are believed to have taken place overnight Tuesday.

The "Lost 40" area is located northwest of the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery west of Du Quoin. The area is accessed from Du Quoin by going around the Sacred Heart Cemetery to landfill road, then heading north and turning east at a "T" then going east on Lazy 'W' Road.

Cabin owner Dale Spencer said thieves cut a lock on a gate to the area and burglarized cabins on the west side of the lake. Some of the affected cabin owners are thought to be the Spencer family , Cliff Davis, Bill Atkins, Dick Smith and the Genesio family. There may be others.

Spencer said hunting and fishing items including guns, bowhunting equipment, trolling motors and fishing tackle were taken as well as an assortment of household items--small televisions, etc.

Perry County deputies are being assisted by Illinois State Police from the District 13 command in Du Quoin. Because of the theft of guns, the federal ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms) office may become involved. Cabin owners were asked to allow investigators to continue their crime scene investigation. Because of a snowfall earlier this week, there are tire prints, shoe prints, etc. that investigators are collecting.

Spencer said the burglaries seemed to be planned and methodical in the way they were carried out. "It happens and you feel violated," he said.

Anyone with knowledge of the burglaries or the items taken should call the sheriff's department at 357-5212 immediately