The Suffolk County Police Department is reminding residents to lock parked vehicles as the number of reported thefts has been on the rise since the beginning of the year.
Reports of stolen motor vehicle thefts increased 21.3% and thefts from a motor vehicle are up more than 30% during the first four and a half months of 2020 compared to the same timeframe in 2019.
Many victims of vehicle thefts have not only left cars unlocked, but also left key fobs in plain view, allowing potential car thieves to easily enter the vehicle and with the press of a button, start the engine and drive away.
“Always lock your car doors, it’s that simple,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said. “The increase in thefts of and from vehicles is a direct result of owners not taking the extra step to ensure their cars are secured. It can make the difference between becoming a victim or not.”
