The Ames Police Department has a suspect it believes was involved in a string of car burglaries and car fires that occurred over the last three weeks.

While arriving at a scene of a car fire, Ames Police pursued a suspect who was leaving the area.

Jason Tuttle, investigations commander and public information officer with Ames Police, described the suspect as a white male in his late teens to early 20s. The suspect has blond hair, a thin build and is between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall, Tuttle said. 

Since early September, more than 30 vehicles were burglarized, and five were set on fire, Tuttle said. The burglaries most likely took place over two nights, each about a week apart.

The first set of burglaries and fires occurred in the area of the 1100 block of Lincoln Way and the 100 block of North Maple Avenue. Around a week later, there was a second set of burglaries in an area north of 13th Street. 

Most of the items taken by the suspect or suspects are things of little value such as loose change. Even items of higher value, such as electronics in the vehicles, were left behind, Tuttle said.

Tuttle said he expects the burglaries to continue until the perpetrator or perpetrators are caught. Due to this, Tuttle recommends certain precautions to prevent cars from being broken into.

“We really want to encourage people to make sure they are locking their doors,” Tuttle said. “Almost all of the car burglaries we have had the vehicles were unlocked.”

Tuttle also said to try and remove any items of value and try and park in a well-lit area.

Ames Police is requesting that people report any suspicious activity or people in their neighborhood.

If you have any information, you can contact the Ames Police General Dispatch number at 515-239-5133 with any information.