Thieves Target Cars Left Idling While Unattended, Officials Say

PORTLAND, OR — Come on, it's not that cold. KATA reports that car thefts are on the rise in the Portland area, and national crime statistics suggest cold weather as a possible cause.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) a car was stolen every 45 seconds last year. One out of eight drivers made it easy for thieves because they left the car running.

Mike Smith of Fairview went outside one chilly morning to warm up his truck, turned his back to get his dog.

"Usually I just get in it and go, but that was a cold morning. It was really cold. I think it said 28 degrees," said Smith. "It's a shock to me that they got it that quick."

Smith says it took less than 30 seconds for the thief to get in and drive away. With it went about $3,000 worth of new tools and fixtures; including new tires, new shocks, new breaks, a new battery, and a new stereo.

The NICB said more than 2,100 cars were stolen in Oregon from 2013 to 2015, and 40 percent were taken in Portland.

Cars that were taken with keys inside have increased 31 percent across the country. In some cases, drivers leave their garage door opener inside their cars, giving prowlers easy access to their homes.

Here are the Top 10 vehicle/make Thefts of 2015, by NICB:

1. Honda Accord 1994
2. Honda Civic 1998
3. Subaru Legacy 1998
4. Ford Pickup (Full Size) 2004
5. Toyota Camry 1990
6. Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size) 1999
7. Acura Integra 1994
8. Subaru Impreza 1999
9. Honda CR-V 1999
10. Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee 1994

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