In the last 48 hours, we have taken theft from vehicle reports in several different areas including Schumann Drive, Placid Street and Triverton Pike Drive.
Over the last 30 days we have recorded 26 theft from vehicle incidents, up from 9 during the previous 30 days.
Common themes in these reports:
•Most, if not all, involved unlocked vehicles or open garage doors
•Most incidents occur in the very late evening or early morning hours
•Items typically taken include money and garage door openers. In one incident earlier this month a gun was taken from an unlocked car.
Based on video footage from homeowners we believe most of these crimes are facilitated by an already stolen vehicle. Generally speaking, these vehicles are occupied by a number of juveniles. The driver waits in the car while the group is able to check every parked car on a block within a matter of seconds.
More often than not, the primary goal of these crimes is to find additional car keys or fobs to then take another car. We continue to take reports of stolen vehicles where the car was left unlocked with a key inside.
Even when no keys are left inside, garage door openers are frequently taken from unlocked cars. Openers allow instant access to the garage, or in some cases, access at a later date. Most alarming in these situations is when the door from the garage to the home is unlocked and the house is entered in search of car keys and valuables.
If there is any good news to be had in regards to this issue it’s that property crime is some of the most preventable crime. Preventing crime and producing public safety is a team effort.
Officers are providing extra patrol and, when time permits, making efforts to notify residents of open garage doors.
We appreciate your assistance in doing your best to take some the simple crime prevention steps outlined in the graphic below, including:
- Locking doors
- Removing keys and valuables from vehicles. If you leave your car parked outside, remove your garage door opener.
- Leaving exterior lights on or utilizing motion lights
- Keeping your garage door closed
Finally, if you do find your car or garage was entered, please report it, even if nothing was taken. Knowing when and where these incidents occur helps us locate video footage and other evidence. Several strings of thefts and burglaries this year have been solved, and arrests made, with your help.
