November 22, 2016
Colder weather is on its way and warming up the car will
become part of many city residents’ routine as temperatures drop. Richmond
Police urge citizens not leave running vehicles unattended, even for a short
time.
“Thieves see a running car with keys in the ignition as an
opportunity,” said Fourth Precinct Sergeant Brian Prendergast. “When
you’re rushing to get everyone ready in the morning, a few minutes to warm the
car up can seem inconvenient, but staying with your vehicle eliminates the risk
of it being stolen while you’re inside the house.”
Prendergast noted that during the past week there have been
eight motor vehicle thefts in Fourth Precinct, which includes Downtown, Scott’s
Addition and Highland Park. Five of those thefts were from cars that were
unlocked and running.
Taking the following precautions can help secure a vehicle
and prevent crimes of opportunity such as motor vehicle theft or theft from
motor vehicles.
·
Lock car doors. Regardless of where it’s parked,
lock up and keep valuables out of sight.
·
Never leave keys inside the car. It makes the
vehicle an easy target.
·
Don’t leave a running vehicle unattended, even
for a few minutes.
The Richmond Police Department asks that if citizens see a
suspicious person or activity that they report it by calling 911.
