With more and more car burglaries happening, experts say there’s not much rhyme or reason to these crimes. However, there is one thing they have in common: Most cars that are broken into are unlocked.
It may seem obvious, but the South Plains Auto Theft Task Force said it is common for people to leave their car doors unlocked, especially when parked in their driveways. By doing this, they make their cars the perfect target for thieves.
“Very opportunistic. They’re walking down the street, they’re walking through apartment complexes and they’re just trying doors,” said Mandy Myers, an analyst at the South Plains Auto Theft Task Force. “So many are left unlocked, they don’t need to bust through windows.”
Recently, a group of thieves, walking down the street checking for unlocked doors, targeted a neighborhood near Frankford Avenue and 147th Street.
“A couple days ago, there were some breaking in early in the morning, and a couple of neighbors were already talking about it,” said Dino Carroll.
Thankfully, a neighbor caught the thieves on surveillance video. The neighborhood is hoping they will be caught and the things they stole can be returned.
With warmer months, this kind of crime could be on the rise.
“Take everything out of your car. Leave your car like it came off the factory floor,” said Myers.
Even if you think nothing in your car is valuable, she said thieves aren’t picky about what they steal.
“Pretty much anything they can get their hands on – money, even the change holders people have, they’re taking those,” Myers said.
Whenever you leave your car, make sure to take all the valuables with you and lock the vehicle.
