Car Burglar Raids Unlocked Vehicles in Palos Heights: Video

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL -- Palos Heights police have released home security video of a man rifling through unlocked cars in the early morning hours of July 3. An uptick of car burglaries and stolen vehicles is widespread throughout the suburbs, mostly from vehicles where the keys have been left inside. Deputy Chief Bill Czajkowski said that police have taken reports of car burglaries from all over Palos Heights.

“Most of the crews appear to be coming from the city,” Czajkowski said. “This is happening from Hinsdale to Orland Park, to Palos Heights, Midlothian and New Lenox.”

In the span of a minute-and-a-half, the suspect seen in the home security video from July 3 shows a suspect opening the doors and peering inside two vehicles. After going through one car, the purported car burglar moves to the next vehicle.

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“They’ve been stealing cars and using the cars to drive into our neighborhoods to steal from unlocked vehicles,” Czajkowski said.

The deputy chief said that in the middle of the night on June 8, two unlocked vehicles were entered into in the 12400 block of 74th Avenue. Miscellaneous items including a credit card were taken from one vehicle while the other vehicle was stolen from the driveway. That vehicle that was stolen had the keys inside of it. Palos Heights police teamed up with Chicago Police Department tactical officers from the Third and Fourth Districts located the stolen vehicle, which had a GPS tracking device in the 6700 block of Chappell Avenue in Chicago. The alleged thief, 20-year-old Reuben Thomas, was arrested on the spot and charged with unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle and unlawful possession of a credit card.

Residents can help police prevent these crimes by following these tips:

• Always secure the doors and windows to your vehicle.
• Remove valuables from your vehicle -- especially overnight.
• Do not leave the key or key fob in your vehicle when its unoccupied.
• Do not leave keys, loose coins, wallets, phones and other items in clear view inside your vehicle.
• Activate your alarm if you have it.
• Report suspicious vehicles and people in the neighborhood.
• Take steps to avoid being a target.
• Call 911 immediately to report suspicious or criminal activity.