Wave of theft from auto in Northeast

Crime Alert from the MPD 2nd Precinct
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During the last week the 2nd precinct had 18 motor vehicles broken into and items such as laptops, tools, a satellite radio, sunglasses, CD's, a coat, cigarettes, several GPSs, a gym bag, a TV, a camera, and jewelry have been taken from the vehicles. We encourage you to help us stop this crime from occurring by removing items from your car was you are parking your car.

According to Minneapolis Police Department statistics for 2008, there were nearly seven vehicles stolen per day in the city. Another fifteen vehicles were broken into in order to steal items from them. One fifth of all crime in the United States are auto thefts. A car is stolen every 33 seconds, every day of the year. Most vehicles are stolen because it was easy to do so; eighty percent of vehicles stolen are left unlocked and 42% had the keys left inside.

We have tips for you to post at work, and hand out to neighbors available at: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/crime-prevention/docs/TIPSPREV.pdf. If you will take some time to help to get this information out to community members, it would be greatly appreciated.



For questions, contact:

Carol Oosterhuis, Crime Prevention Specialist
Minneapolis Police Department, 2nd Precinct
(612) 673-2874
carol.oosterhuis@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

To Protect With Courage
To Serve With Compassion