Police say Mt. Laurel and its neighboring towns have recently seen an increase in reports of thefts from motor vehicles.
According to police officials, Mt. Laurel and its neighboring towns have recently seen an increase in reports of thefts from motor vehicles.
According to officials, these thefts are not only occurring at businesses, but at homes, parks, daycare centers and other public areas as well.
In addition to valuable items, police say thieves are also stealing wallets and purses containing credit cards and other personal information that can be used at stores or banks to commit fraud.
With that in mind, police are reminding residents of the following simple tips they can follow to prevent thefts from their vehicles this holiday season and anytime in the future:
• First and foremost, residents are reminded to simply lock the doors of their vehicles doors and close any windows, even during what might be a “quick” stop. According to police, even during quick stops, often times thieves are able to commit “crimes of opportunity” by utilizing an unlocked door.
• Police remind residents to never leave small, easily carried items such as cell phones, sunglasses, bags or other personal property on the seat or floor of a vehicle. If a thief spots such items, police say a “smash and grab” crime where the thief simply smashes the window of the vehicle and steals the valuable item can occur in less than 15 seconds.
• Police also advise against covering any valuable items in a vehicle with a blanket or jacket, as thieves will simply then think that the vehicle’s owner is hiding something expensive.
• Police do advise residents to make use of the closed compartments in their vehicles, such as the glove box for small valuables or the trunk for larger items. In vehicles such as SUVs and hatchbacks where there is no enclosed trunk, police note that there might be hidden compartments in the floor in the back of the vehicle, or covers where residents can hide the cargo area so thieves can’t see what valuable items may be being stored.
