Royal Oak Sees Rash Of Theft From Unlocked Cars

ROYAL OAK, MI — Royal Oak Police handled a rash of larceny from vehicle reports this week, all of which happened to unlocked cars parked in the city.

Between July 11-18, Royal Oak Police took at least eight reports of resident’s who had valuables stolen from their unlocked vehicles. Most incidents happened overnight on July 16.

"These types of incidents are commonly crimes of opportunity and developing good security habits like locking vehicle doors can have a big impact," said Lt. Keith Spencer of the Royal Oak Police Department. "Avoid leaving cash, identification, credit cards, or anything else of significant value unattended in a vehicle."

The following incidents of theft from cars were reported:

• The wallet containing IDs, cash and credit cards from the stolen vehicle in the 100 block of Aqua Court July 16.
• Credit cards and ID from a GMC parked in the 1900 block of Brookwood overnight July 16.
• Shoulder bag with wallet and miscellaneous belongings stolen from a Jeep parked int he 1700 block of Kalama July 16. Police recovered the bag without the wallet.
• A backpack from an unlocked Ford parked in the 2100 block of Kalama July 16. Police were able to recover the bag.
• Change was stolen from a Jeep in the 1200 block of South Wilson July 16. Change and a flashlight were also stolen from a Chrysler parked in the same block on the same night.
• Cash and change was stolen from an Audi parked in the 900 block of North Vermont July 16.
• Cash was stolen from a Ford parked in the 400 block of West Houstonia on July 12.

Each car was unlocked, according to the reports. One unlocked vehicle, parked in the 100 block of Aqua Court, was stolen overnight July 16.