Car break-ins on the rise
The recent theft of a GPS system from a car parked in Oakland’s Crystal Lake area exemplifies a growing trend affecting local municipalities and towns across the nation. GPS devices are a high-end item and they can bring easy cash to thieves. In the recent Oakland incident, the car was also heavily damaged as the criminals took it out of gear and it rolled into the victim’s house causing damage to the house and to the rear of the car. Other residents are reporting what appears to be an increase in unlocked cars being entered and robbed in parking lots and driveways throughout the area.
Technology has brought with it a host of small devices worth hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, that people often leave in their car. Cell phones, digital cameras, iPods, Blackberries, and GPS devices are all items that a thief can sell easily. Seeing just one item openly displayed in a car is enough for a thief to target the vehicle knowing that there could be additional items for the taking once he gains entry.
The excessive vandalism accompanying the crime near Crystal Lake is exceptionally disconcerting as crimes committed on the homestead leaves victims with a singular sense of violation. It can be expected that crimes targeting cars will increase during the holiday shopping season, along with a continued down slide in the economy. Residents can take a few precautions that can reduce lessen the chances of their car becoming a target for thieves.