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Auto Theft Trends and Crime Tips
10/13/2008
With respect to vehicle theft, Ford trucks are the most frequently stolen vehicle in Harris County. General Motors (GM) trucks, Dodge trucks, and certain Honda products follow Ford in the top rankings of stolen vehicles. Design features of some of these vehicles make them easier targets for thieves. Vehicle specific anti-theft devices and other products are available at automobile/truck accessory shops. In addition to anti-theft devices, preventive measures can reduce the likelihood of your vehicle being stolen. Deputy Sandy Johnson, assigned to the Auto Theft Unit, is available to provide tips and other information upon request.
The BMV Proactive Unit of the Sheriff's Office has noted a new trend in BMV methods. Specifically, women are being targeted for their handbags at fueling stations. Oftentimes, ladies will remove their credit card or cash from their handbag and then leave the handbag or purse unattended in the vehicle as they pay for their purchase. Thieves are always attentive to an easy target and find this a very convenient crime of opportunity.
It is recommended that you NEVER leave valuables within plain view. If you must leave personal items inside your vehicle, including your handbag, laptop computers, GPS systems, or other electronic devices, make sure they are hidden from plain view and always lock your car!!! Along with keeping valuables out of sight, a Lo-Jack by Computrace program can be installed on your computer which will assist in locating and recovering your laptop if it is stolen.
Remember, your personal safety is always at risk when you are vulnerable. Be aware of your surroundings, learn safety skills, and don't take needless risks.
The following are helpful tips to employ.
* Take Your Keys. One out of every five vehicles stolen had the keys in it.
* Lock Your Car!! Almost half of all vehicles stolen were left unlocked.
* Don't Hide a Second Set of Keys in Your Car! Extra keys can easily be found if
a thief takes the time to look.
* Park in Well-Lighted Areas.
* Park in Attended Lots. Auto thieves do not like witnesses and prefer unattended
parking lots.
* Only give ignition/door key to parking attendant. If your trunk and glove box
use the same key as the door, have one of them changed. Don't give the
attendant easy access to your glove box and trunk. Upon returning, check the
tires, spare tire and battery to insure they are they same of those you had when
you parked.
* Don't leave your car running unattended . Vehicles are commonly stolen at
convenience stores, gas stations, ATM's, etc. Many vehicles are also stolen on
cold mornings when the owner leaves the vehicle running to warm up.
* Completely Close Car Windows When Parking. Don't make it any easiwer for the
thief to enter your vehicle.
* Hide Your Valuables. Don't make your car a more desireable target for thieves
by leaving valuables in plain sight.
There are other products and preventive measures that one can utilize in order to reduce their likelihood of becoming a victim of theft and/or burglary.
The Sheriff's Office Auto Theft Unit and the Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority are pleased to offer the civic groups, community associations, and businesses with crime prevention programs designed to reduce Auto Theft and Burglary of Motor Vehicles. For a complete directory of services offered to the public by the Harris County Sheriff's Office, please explore all areas of our website.
For further information, please contact Deputy Sandy Johnson at 281-446-4399.
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