Theft from Auto Crime Alerts

I've noticed a flurry of public safety warnings and traffic on my own neighborhood e-mail list about people breaking into autos and stealing stuff. As someone who has had this happen twice, once from a garage with a faulty lock and once off the street, I would say that the damage to the car is often more expensive than whatever was stolen. Don't leave valuables in your car is common sense but clearly people forget or are in a hurry or their definition of "valuable" isn't the same as a criminal's.
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CRIME ALERT

Residential Burglary & Theft from Auto

October 13, 2009



Facts:

The Bryn Mawr neighborhood has experienced an unusual spike in residential burglaries and thefts from autos. Between September 1 and October 8, there have been 11 residential burglaries and 11 thefts from autos in the neighborhood. The burglaries are happening at various times throughout the day; most are at night. Entry methods include forcing doors and cutting screens to unlocked windows. Losses include cash, laptops, bicycles, and home electronics.

In at least one case, the burglar entered the victim’s garage by taking the garage door opener from the victim’s car and opening the garage door.

Thefts from automobiles are mostly happening at night. Most vehicles are parked on the street or in driveways. In most cases the targeted vehicles are unlocked. Losses include GPS units, cash, laptops, etc.

There is no suspect information available at this time.



What you can do:

Please be alert to suspicious activity and don’t hesitate to call 911 to report it. Please call the 4th Precinct Property Crimes Unit at (612) 673-5714 if you have any information about these burglaries or thefts.

· Always lock your car when leaving it unattended.

· Never leave items of value in the passenger compartment of your vehicle.

· Do not leave your garage door opener in plain view in your car.

· Park your car in a secured garage whenever possible.

· Never leave your home or personal property unsecured. Always lock all doors and windows when you leave home. Always keep your garage secured and locked.

· Don’t leave your back door unlocked while doing yard work in the front and vice versa. Do not leave valuables on porches or other unsecured areas of the home.

· Use double-cylinder deadbolt locks with 6" strike plates and 3" screws on all exterior doors. Deadbolts should have at least a 1" throw.

· Pin your double-hung windows, or add auxiliary locks to them.

· Alert your neighbors and block club members to the problem. Be sure to watch out for each other. Remember, the majority of burglars who are caught in the act are caught because a neighbor reported seeing something suspicious.

· Call 911 to report suspicious activity. This includes strangers walking down your alley and looking in garages, loitering, or vehicles with occupants you don’t recognize circling the block.

· Ask your crime prevention specialist to conduct a free Home Security Survey. He will give you many tips and ideas for making your home more secure and less vulnerable. Please call Crime Prevention Specialist Tim Hammett at (612) 673-2866.



Tim Hammett, Crime Prevention Specialist
Minneapolis Police Department - 4th Precinct
1925 Plymouth Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55411
(612) 673-2866
timothy.hammett@ci.minneapolis.mn.us