The Lawnmower Man could be breaking into your shed as we speak.

It's 10 p.m. Do you know where your lawn mower is?

Sometime last week, a motor, some push mowers, bed frames and a toolbox turned up missing from a garage on Harve Mathis Road.

Over the weekend, a weed eater, riding mower, push mower, edger, padlock and trailer were reported stolen from Dekle Road. 

Athens-Clarke County police say there's been a rash of lawn-care equipment thefts in the area and put out an alert Tuesday offering tips on how to keep your John Deere out of the hands of criminals.

With Spring comes the time for yard work. Lawn mowers, edgers, hedge clippers, and other types of lawn equipment are items thieves like to target since they are left unattended and/or stored in open garages. Thieves also target lawn care companies since a lot of this equipment is transported on trailers. Sometimes, trailers loaded with the equipment are also stolen. 

The Police Department encourages citizens to record make, model, and serial numbers of all lawn equipment they own. Also, vehicle identification numbers (VIN) and tags on trailers should be recorded. In the event these items are stolen, the information would help detectives identify and return the stolen property should they be located. 

While workers are at job sites, we suggest they keep an eye on their equipment. If possible, park the trailer in an area that is not easily seen from the roadway. Watch for suspicious persons in the area. When not in use, secure the trailer so it will not be an easy target for thieves. 

If suspicious persons or vehicles are seen in neighborhoods or at work sites, we ask that you call 911 and report it. As much information about the person/vehicle should be given to the call taker – race, sex, clothing, height, weight, direction of travel, vehicle description, etc. While this information is being gathered, the call is being dispatched. 

Help your Police Department keep our community safe by being eyes and ears in your neighborhood. As Chief Joseph H. Lumpkin, Sr., likes to say, “If you see something, say something.” 

But remember, lawn mowers don't kill people. Mentally disabled gardeners who've downloaded their minds onto computers with lawn mowers kill people. Don't let your weed eater fall into the wrong hands.