Vehicle Thefts and Vehicle Break-ins

 

By Detective Patrick Cheetham

Submitted June 30^th, 2008

 

Over the course of a year, the Londonderry Police Department responds to and takes reports for thefts from vehicles or “car break-ins” that number in the tens of hundreds.  This number may seem innocuous unless you have been victimized by these thieves.

 

Some common characteristics / similarities of these thefts include:

1.      Location:   Apartment and condominium complexes are frequent targets because of the large number of vehicles within a small area.  Also, shopping malls and plazas because of the large number of vehicles and pedestrian traffic (is it that uncommon to see someone walking through a parking lot?).

2.     Method of Entry:  Most thieves do not break windows or door locks to gain entry into a vehicle.  Thieves will simply check door handles and only enter into those vehicles that are unlocked.

3.      Property Taken:  Loose change, cash, credit cards, CDs, purses, wallets, laptops, and GPS units.  Although there have been ID theft related cases associated with car break-ins, most thieves are looking for a quick “score.”

4.      Times of Day Committed:  Many of these thefts occur overnight but they also occur during the day at shopping malls and large parking lots.

 

Some prevention tips:

 

1.                  Lock your car doors:  This is a simple and convenient way to protect your property.  Most thefts occur in unlocked vehicles.

2.                 Take valuables into your house:  It is not wise to leave your purse, wallet, laptop, GPS device or other valuables inside your car overnight or for extended periods of time. Also, if you secure your GPS with a suction-cup mount, make sure you remove the mark left on your windshield by the GPS mounting device. The suction-cup mark tells the would-be thief that you possess a GPS unit.

3.                 Motion activated lights:  Motion activated lights are another option to deter criminal activity.  They can be found at your local hardware store.

4.                  Serial Numbers / Product Descriptions:  Record the serial numbers and product descriptions of your valuables so that if they are stolen, we at the Police Department can enter them into the National Crime Information Center’s database, which greatly increases the likelihood of recovery.  This also proves that the valuables are indeed yours. 

5.                 Be Observant and Make the Call:  You know your neighborhood’s daily activities better than we do because you live there. If you see something suspicious, out of place, or odd, then telephone the police department.  We solve many crimes because of alert and active citizens.  We greatly encourage community involvement and will not criticize you for making a telephone call with information.  You can even make it anonymously.

 

These are some suggested crime prevention tips.  Every case is unique but many share common characteristics.  Be alert, make the phone call, and don’t be a victim.  I can be reached at 603.432.1118 or pcheetham@londonderrynh.org with any more questions.