Auto Thefts Spike In Charlotte, Police Blame Keys Left In Vehicle

CHARLOTTE, NC — Auto thefts spiked 12 percent in the Charlotte metro region, according to police, who say the increase in crimes of opportunity are due to keys left inside vehicles. Many of the thefts occurred while cars were left warming up in the morning or at gas stations.

Unlocked vehicles and those left with keys inside them account for 30 percent of the almost 2,800 auto thefts in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department jurisdiction in the past year, Lt. Brad Koch said Wednesday.

“For us, in South Division, what we’re seeing is the suspects going into a neighborhood — a nice, quiet neighborhood — in the middle of the night and then just calmly walk through pulling on door handles. If they find a car open, they’ll take their time going through the car looking for anything,” CMPD Capt. Christian Wagner said.

“Now, if they come upon keys, certainly they’ll just take the whole car, drive to the next neighborhood and continue with their spree,” he said.

In one recent case, a wife left her husband’s car keys and her own in a center console and thieves took both vehicles, Wagner said.

CMPD urges drivers to do the following:

• Lock your doors.
• Take your stuff out.
• Do not leave your car running, if you aren’t in it.

There is some slightly good news, however. Of the nearly 2,800 cars stolen last year, about 46 percent were recovered, Wagner said.

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