Car Break-ins Still Plaguing Strongsville

On Chestnut Drive, an iPod was stolen. A GPS was taken on Scarlet Oak Trail. On Pearl Road, a resident woke up to find shoes, an iPod, cash and gift cards missing. 

Pretty much every week, things are stolen from cars, even when they're parked in the driveway, right outside your window, or in your garage.

"This is not a small problem," Police Chief Charles Goss said. "I think people would be surprised how common it is here in Strongsville and in other communities."

They might also be surprised by how easy it is to prevent. All it takes is one finger -- on your car door's lock.

Goss said the vast majority of thefts involve unlocked vehicles.

"These kids are going driveway to driveway, checking door handles," Goss said. "If all the cars in the city were locked, we'd cut these thefts down by 90 percent."

His advice: Always lock your car doors, even in your own driveway, and even in your garage if the overhead door is open. On Woodrun Drive last month, credit cards were stolen from a car parked in an open garage.

Also, never leave valuables -- computers, iPods, cell phones, cash, GPS units -- in your car, especially overnight, even if you lock the doors. The temptation might be enough for an actual break-in.

"If they see something that entices them, they may break the window," Goss said.

The chief also warns about a type of theft occurring more and more in the area involving stowing items in your trunk when you're in a parking lot. Often, shoppers and people visiting the rec center will put valuable items, including wallets and purses, in their trunks before they go inside.

Better than leaving it in view, but not good enough.

"There are thieves who sit in parking lots and watch people put things in their trunks," Goss said. "Then when the people go inside, they punch the trunk (lock)."

Instead, place valuables in the trunk before you leave home so no one can see you doing it, Goss said.