Local Police Report Spike in Car Thefts

Police departments around the northwest suburbs are encouraging residents to be vigilant after a recent increase in vehicle thefts.

In Maple Grove, police say there have been at least 13 vehicles stolen in the past few months. They also expect the crimes to increase as the weather turns colder.

“[Thefts] happen all over the city. They happen in residential areas. People will leave their car unlocked with the key fob inside, or we get a lot of them at daycare centers where people are making a quick errand or run inside, and they come outside and their vehicle is missing,” said Maple Grove police Cmdr. Jon Wetternach.

In Robbinsdale, the city has seen a 200 percent increase in vehicle thefts from September through Nov. 15. Robbinsdale police documented 15 thefts during that time period. Last year during that same period, the city had 5 such cases.

Police officials with Crystal, Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park also tell CCX News that they have seen a spike in vehicle thefts over the past few months.

“There are a variety of reasons as to why people will steal cars,” said Wetternach. “Sometimes it’s so they can get from point A to point B. The other times they use them for joyriding or committing other criminal acts.”

Maple Grove police warn residents not to leave valuables in vehicles, including car keys and garage door openers. They say it’s also a good idea to lock your vehicle and close your garage door.

Maple Grove and several other cities experience a spike in vehicle thefts.

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