Oak Brook Joins Growing List of Areas Targeted by Car Thieves: Cops

Oak Brook residents are the latest victims of a crime spree that started in May and now comprises hundreds 0f area vehicle thefts and break-ins, according to a news alert from local law enforcement officials.

Afflicted areas include Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Wilmette, Highland Park, Glencoe, Glenview, Winnetka, Northbrook, Deerfield, Hinsdale, Bolingbrook, Naperville, Elmhurst and most recently, Oak Brook. To date, more than 100 have been stolen and upwards of 200 have been burglarized, police said. Two cars had been snagged in Oak Brook as of Tuesday, Aug. 30.

Police say thieves are stealing unlocked vehicles that have their keys or fobs inside. They are generally targeting high-end, luxury cars parked overnight in residential driveways.

"The Oak Brook Police Department wishes to remind our village residents to remove car keys from vehicles parked in driveways and properly secure all vehicles," police said. "Recently, there has been a rash of high-end vehicle thefts ... Please report any suspicious activity by immediately calling 911."

Elmhurst Police Chief Michael Ruth said that in the other Chicago-area incidents, thieves have typically taken what they could from cars when they were unable to locate keys.

"We have an escalated alert out to all residents, asking them to please lock their vehicles and take the keys with them," he said. "If the thieves do not have success in committing this crime in Elmhurst, they will stop targeting this area.”

Police also recommend deterring thieves by installing motion sensor lights in driveways and outside homes.

" ... There are three elements that must be present to commit a crime: desire, ability and opportunity," the Elmhurst alert said. "Residents can remove the criminal’s opportunity by always locking car doors, and removing the keys and any valuables from the vehicle."