Brooklyn Park Police Warn of Car Theft Spike

Minnesota’s extended winter weather is offering car thieves extra opportunity. Police say when you leave your car running to warm it up, it can be an invitation to to have it stolen.

Brooklyn Park police say there have been preventable thefts because of the lingering cold weather. While a thief can make off with your car in seconds, finding it  can take some time.

“Sometimes vehicles are recovered a close distance nearby or perhaps another city,” said Brooklyn Park Crime Prevention Specialist Kimberly Czapar. “It could take days, it could even take weeks to recover a stolen vehicle. Sometimes its just an observant neighbor in the neighborhood who calls and says ‘the car has been sitting on my street for a week.’ That’s how we discover some of our stolen autos.”

Czapar says never leave the car running unattended, even just to dash into a store or the day care center.

Since January 1,  57 vehicles have been stolen in Brooklyn Park. While its a crime of opportunity that can happen anywhere, police report nearly half of the thefts were at apartment buildings. Many of the cars targeted were Toyotas and Hondas.

More tips to help from becoming a victim:

• Never leave valuables in your car, especially guns, purses, wallets, money, or electronics
• Never leave keys in the car, inside a locked garage, or in hide-a-key boxes
• Always roll up the windows and lock your car, even in front of your home

Source: Brooklyn Park Police Department

Brooklyn Park