As cold winter days approach, more and more drivers warm up their cars before getting in it but police today warn drivers of how you are increasing your probabilities of becoming a potential victim of theft.
Police remind drivers that vehicles left unattended with keys in the ignition is an invitation for thieves to steal your car. Officers ask the public to be more vigilant and to discontinue leaving their vehicles running to warm up, cool down, or to chance running inside a store or business to make a “quick” purchase or transaction with their car keys in the ignition.
Based on reports, approximately 18 percent of the vehicles stolen this year were the result of owners leaving their vehicles unattended with their engines running or with key fobs left inside the cars.
It only takes seconds for a thief to steal a vehicle left running while unattended and or unoccupied. Time and time again we hear drivers who claim t hat no sooner did they leave their vehicle unattended than someone entered it and stole it. The time varies from minutes to mere seconds.
Don’t become lulled into a false sense of security by using a remote to lock the car while the engine is running. According to police, a thief only needs to break a window to enter the car and drive off. This practice gives thieves an open invitation to steal your car. If you want to warm up your car, do so legally, by not leaving the vehicle unattended. And, it’s important to remember that vehicles left idling for more than three minutes will be subject to summonses.
While no one is immune to auto theft and associated incidents, vehicle owners are warned to take some extra precautions to prevent vehicular crimes.
Here are some suggestions:
• Install a remote starter so you can warm up or cool down your car without
unlocking its doors
• Install a vehicle tracking device to find your car in t he event of a theft
• Keep valuables in your vehicle hidden from plain view to deter thefts
• Park in public, well-lit, security-monitored parking areas
• Never leave your car unlocked, even in low-crime areas and neighborhoods
• Keep windows rolled up, even on hot summer days
• Do not leave a spare key in or near your vehicle
• Activate an audible alarm system
Anyone with information about car thefts or other crimes to contact the Department's 24-hour Crime Stoppers’ tip line at 877 NWK-TIPS (877 695-8477) or NWK-GUNS (877 695-4867). All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential.