CHENEY – Thefts are down for the year but up in April in Cheney, with 18 reported thefts during the month, eight more than last April, according to police Cmdr. Rick Campbell.

“To us, that’s a big issue,” Campbell said.

Thefts are down 34 percent compared with this time last year. In 2007, there were 76 thefts from January through April, compared with 50 this year.

The investigations department is still closing cases at a good rate.

Detective Matt Pumphrey started April with 44 open cases, received 15 new cases and closed six.

“I am very happy with what’s been going on in the detective’s office,” Campbell said.

Here are the reports of police activitiy for May 9-16.