Auto Burglaries Up as Spring Break Continues

Spring break time is also prime time for auto burglaries, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department.

That agency reports the first weekend of Pinellas County’s spring break had local officers fielding 18 auto thefts and 44 auto burglaries. In 90 percent of the cases, automobiles were left unlocked and many still had the keys inside them, the agency wrote in an email to media.

To curb spring break crime, St. Pete police are asking residents to remove their keys, lock their doors and be sure to also close up garage doors at night.

Spring break in Pinellas County continues through Friday, April 3, with students returning to school Monday.

Image via Shutterstock

Keep up with what’s happening around town and the state by signing up for your favorite Patch daily newsletter: Bloomingdale-Riverview, Bradenton, Brandon, Carrollwood-Northdale, Clearwater, Dunedin, East Lake, Gulfport, Land O’ Lakes, Largo, Lutz, New Port Richey, New Tampa, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Beaches, Safety Harbor, Sarasota, Seminole Heights, South Tampa-Hyde Park, St. Pete, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Westchase.