Thefts From Vehicles In Ashburn Area Spike — Again (ICYMI)

ASHBURN, VA — Police keep preaching and, apparently, a lot of vehicle owners aren't listening. And that, literally, is their loss. Consider that Friday's crime report from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office included 15 reported incidents of thefts from and/or unauthorized entry into vehicles, all but one of which occurred between Tuesday and Wednesday. Some of the incidents involved more than one vehicle. Moreover, most of the vehicles were, yes, unlocked.

In Ashburn, the incidents occurred on Powderhorn Court, Eildon Terrace, Winding Brook Terrace, Chokeberry Terrace, Crocus Terrace, Weatherwood Drive and Winding Brook Square. In Sterling, the incidents occurred on Sandstone Square, Ridgehaven Terrace, Trinity Square and Monarch Drive. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts. Also, like us on Facebook, and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

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Here are some tips (warnings?) the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office have offered residents again and again and again:

• KEEP YOUR VEHICLE LOCKED. Most stolen items are taken from vehicles that are left unlocked.

• Do NOT keep any keys inside vehicles or locations that a suspect(s) can access them easily.

• Remove all items from your vehicle, including garage door openers, when not in use. When you cannot do this, put the items out of sight (inside a lockable glove box or trunk). If your vehicle has an integrated garage door opener, please try to park your vehicle in the garage.

• Park inside your garage, if available, and keep the garage locked. Or, try to park your vehicle near or under an illuminated area.

One program announced in June that apparently has had little effect is the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office teaming up with other area law enforcement agencies for a new deal called "#9PMRoutine." The hashtag is meant to remind residents to make sure residents lock their vehicles or homes before they go to bed.

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