Rash Of Car Thefts Hit Northeast Ohio's Western Suburbs

WESTLAKE, OH — Over the past several weeks, Cleveland's western suburbs have reported a surge in stolen cars. Police aren't sure what's driving the sudden surge of thefts, but they are sure residents can do a better job of protecting themselves.

One thing all the thefts have in common: targeted cars were left unlocked overnight. Every police department Patch spoke to for this story urged residents to lock their vehicles, even if they're only leaving their car for a short time.

Westlake was one of the first suburbs to report an uptick in stolen cars. Over three weeks, five cars were stolen from outside Westlake homes. All of the cars were left unlocked overnight, with the keys inside the vehicle. Some of the cars were later recovered in Cleveland, a police spokesperson told Patch.

Avon Lake reported its own surge in thefts from cars this week. It started with items being stolen from unlocked vehicles. Then, on Monday, a car was stolen from a home on Legacy Pointe Parkway. A police spokesperson said the thefts are occurring between 2-6 a.m.

Other western suburbs, like Lakewood, have had their own uptick in stolen cars and thefts from unlocked vehicles. But what's driving the surge?

Opportunity, for one. Every department spokesperson reiterated the same plea: Lock your car overnight and take any valuables inside the car into your house. If you can't take the valuables into your home, put them in the trunk (out of sight).

"Owners are making it too easy," a Lakewood police spokesperson said. She said car owners are leaving their keys inside the car overnight, a move she found flabbergasting. "It's unbelievable," she said.

There may also be coordinated criminal activity targeting the western suburbs. Avon Lake police said they're working with other agencies to identify a group of criminals they believe are perpetrating the majority of the car thefts.

"Based upon the areas where vehicles have been recovered, it appears to be a group or groups from Cleveland branching out into the suburbs to target unsecured vehicles," Lt. Sean Bockelman of the Avon Lake Police Department told Patch.

Westlake police believe there may be several groups of suspects perpetrating the thefts. Investigators have secured photos of possible suspects from home surveillance cameras, but have not yet identified any suspects.

"There is no way to tell why there's an increase in motor vehicles crimes. These types of crimes are sporadic at times," a Westlake police spokesperson said.

Residents can follow simple, commonsense tactics to protect themselves, police said:

• Park your car in a garage, if you can
• Lock your car overnight
• Don't keep car keys inside your car
• Don't keep valuables inside your car
• Contact police if you see someone suspicious in your neighborhood, particularly if they're prowling around between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.