The South Plains Auto Theft Task Force told KLBK and EverythingLubbock.com that car thefts increase significantly during the holiday season, starting with the cold weather.

“A lot of people are warming up their cars which means they’re starting them in their drive-ways, leaving the keys in them to warm them up,” Auto Theft Task Force Crime Prevention Coordinator Mandy Myers said. “People are just driving up and down the block looking for vehicles warming up and just taking them up real quick.”

Myers’ said leaving your vehicle while it is running is the most common mistake they have noticed with stolen vehicles.

“Over half of the vehicles that are stolen are either running and have the keys in them,” Myers said. “Most of the cars are stolen because keys are left in them or they’re running, or both.”

The Task Force also has suspicion that thieves are using new technology to break into vehicles. 

“They are likely breaking into some of them with some electronic devices,” Myers said. “We have not seen the electronic devices and what not.”
 
Myers recommended locking your car with the interior lock so the remote keys don’t set off a signal.
 
“Don’t lock it with your key fob either,” Myers said. “That’s where they are possibly getting some of the electronic signal from. So go ahead and lock your car inside your vehicle with your switch or button inside the car.”
 
The Task Force partnered with the Lubbock Sheriff’s Department for Operation Saint Nick where they provide additional patrol in areas with suspicious behavior.