NATCHEZ — Many Natchez and Adams County residents coming home to ransacked houses, hunting camps or storage units had less to be thankful for over the recent holiday weekend.

Between Friday and Sunday, Natchez police responded to five burglaries, two reports of grand larceny and one report of petit larceny.

Between Wednesday and Sunday, the Adams County Sheriff’s office responded to three burglaries, two reports of attempted breaking and entering, one report of grand larceny and two reports of petit larceny.

Natchez Interim Police Chief Danny White said stolen items reported to NPD included mostly flat screen TVs, laptop and desktop computers and video game consoles.

“This time of the year, (crime) picks up close to holidays,” White said.

“(Criminals) are catching people leaving their house.”

Reports of burglaries and theft in the county included less conventional heists, such as a boat, a stove, scrap metal and several bags of dog food.

Natchez police responded to two burglaries at adjacent houses on Roselawn Drive, one on Watts Avenue and one on Caddo Street.

Burglars in most cases entered the residences through open windows or by breaking windows, the reports say.

Animals at the Natchez-Adams Humane Society were also victimized over the holidays when NACHS reported the grand larceny on Wednesday of 24 bags of dog food valued at $40 a bag.

Mayfield said the dog food burglars tore a panel off of a wall at the former Waste Management building on Wall Street to gain entry.

The humane society accepts donations of Purina dog, puppy, cat and kitten food.

Outside the city limits, help of a vigilant neighbor led deputies to the Wednesday arrest of Reginald Donnell Williams, 25, James Brown Ave., for grand larceny of scrap metal.

The resident reportedly observed Williams stealing ground wire from Entergy poles along Meadow Ridge Road.

Upon a resident’s questioning of Williams, Williams reportedly told the resident he worked for Entergy, although he wore no uniform and carried a black bag with bolt cutters.

The resident called the sheriff’s office when Williams ran from the scene and broke into nearby trailer to hide from authorities.

Mayfield said a possible connection between Williams and other instances of copper theft are under investigation.

A Miracle Drive resident returned home Wednesday — one day before a holiday traditionally spent in the kitchen — to find a stove had been stolen and dragged out the door, Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said.

Deputies also noted signs of a forced entry at the residence.

Investigators recovered the stove at a Field View Drive and have charges pending against a suspect, he said.

Burglars or would-be burglars also hit a hunting camp compound Wednesday at two locations on Liberty Road and Roxie Road.

Victims reported a stolen boat from the Roxie Road location and signs of attempted breaking and entering on Liberty Road.

The Liberty Road Volunteer Fire station also reported an attempted breaking and entering Sunday. Nothing was discovered as missing.

Two juveniles also reportedly stole a bike from a Rushing Street residence Wednesday, Mayfield said. He said the bike owner observed the theft.

A resident also reported Saturday that the door to a hunting camp on Jeanette Road was pried open but nothing was discovered missing.

“Usually all crime increases during Thanksgiving through Christmas holidays,” Mayfield said.

“(I want to get) word out to be more aware, especially in Neighborhood Watches.”

Mayfield encouraged residents to report suspicious behavior or vehicles in their neighborhoods to law enforcement.

“Let deputies check it out; that’s what they’re here for,” he said.