Woodinville Police See Uptick In Local Car Thefts

WOODINVILLE, WA - Local police have seen a slight uptick in car thefts compared to the same period last year. Woodinville police reported 16 car thefts in the city through the end of March. There were 12 car thefts over the same period in 2016.

Police say that many of the thefts are of older vehicles that don't have alarms or other security protections. Police recommend that owners of older cars use a security device that locks the steering wheel. Police are also offering other tips to avoid being the victim of a car theft:

• Don't think that it can't happen anywhere. Police say that car thefts happen everywhere, from shopping malls to right outside your home.
• Lock your doors and hide your keys. Thieves can sometimes steal a car that's unlocked without keys - and sometimes car owners will leave spare keys in the glove box or under the floor mat. Police say the same goes for when you're parking at home, not just out in public.
• Keep your garage door closed - even if you're out in the yard gardening or at home. Police say there have been cases where a thief has used a remote to open a garage from the outside.

For more tips on preventing car thefts, visit the King County Sheriff's Office website.

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