The Vancouver Police Department is once again encouraging citizens to remove valuables from their vehicles before leaving their vehicle unattended. Citywide statistics show auto prowls are up 56 percent from 2009 and prevention is the key to curbing this crime trend.
Most thieves are drug users who steal to fuel their drug habit. These thefts often lead to other crimes such as identity theft and forgery if purses, wallets or mail are stolen or residential burglary if a garage door opener is stolen.
With the holidays approaching it is absolutely critical that citizens practice crime prevention strategies by keeping their vehicles free of temping items that a thief may want to steal, officials said.
It only takes seconds for a thief to break the window of a vehicle and steal its contents.
