By Rupert Howell

A couple of routine car break-ins were the only incidents reported by Batesville Police Department on the inaugural weekend of Polar Express when the town’s population swelled with a few thousand train riding visitors and Batesville lodging facilities were filled due to the weekend’s game between Ole Miss and LSU.

“We had a good weekend overall,” BPD Captain Jimmy McCloud said. McCloud, who will become interim assistant police chief following Assistant Police Chief Don Province’s last day of work on Wednesday, said officers observed vehicle license tags from Texas, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana and Illinois among those parked in areas designated for Polar Express visitors.

A Marlin .17 caliber rifle and $800 cash were stolen from a vehicle on Pollard Street according to BPD Patrolman Tommy Lindsey’s report. The theft occurred between 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday.

Total value of property and cash taken was $1,159.95, according to the report.

Ten dollars in cash and assorted coins were taken fro a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser parked on Boothe Street between the hours of 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday according to an incident report by BPD Patrolman Nick Johnson.

The passenger side window was broken according to the report, maybe due to an exposed $10 bill on the seat inside.

“Lock your car; don’t leave anything valuable inside,” McCloud said.