Protect Yourself With These Steps As Car Thefts, Break-Ins Increase In Warmer Temps

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — With the rise in temperatures comes a correlating rise in car thefts and vehicle break-ins. Thieves typically target high-density residential areas and usually strike in the overnight into the early morning hours across Howard County.

According to the Howard County Police Department, residents are being asked to take the following steps to protect themselves and become less likely to be a victim:

• Always lock your vehicle. In some cases thieves break car windows, but often they bypass locked vehicles after checking the door handles. "We have seen this on home security camera video residents have provided to officers," the department disclosed.
• Do not leave keys or key fobs inside your vehicle or leave your vehicle running unattended. We have seen “jump-in” vehicle thefts where a thief steals a vehicle left running at a gas station or in a driveway. But a majority of other vehicle thefts occur because keys or key fobs are left in a vehicle.
• Do not leave valuables in plain sight or in your car at all – even for a brief time. We have seen thieves steal from vehicles at gas stations while the victim is inside the business. Wallets, purses and electronics such as laptops and tablets are the most common valuables stolen. Thieves will use a stolen credit card as soon as they can, often to purchase gift cards.
• Park in a well lit area or inside your garage if you have one and close your garage doors. Thieves have entered open garages and stolen vehicles and items out of vehicles.
• Additional security measures, such as VIN etching, vehicle security systems and a steering wheel/column lock also can be effective deterrents.