Cold weather coupled with some residents’ false sense of
security is making it easier for thieves to steal cars in the early
morning when drivers are warming up their vehicles.
A rise in car thefts has the Hollister Police Department warning
an
”
it won’t happen to me
”
attitude can leave people one car short of a full garage. Nearly
40 percent of all car thefts this year are from motorists leaving
their keys in their car either when driving around town or warming
up their car in the morning, said Hollister police spokesman George
Ramirez.
Hollister – Cold weather coupled with some residents’ false sense of security is making it easier for thieves to steal cars in the early morning when drivers are warming up their vehicles.
A rise in car thefts has the Hollister Police Department warning an “it won’t happen to me” attitude can leave people one car short of a full garage. Nearly 40 percent of all car thefts this year are from motorists leaving their keys in their car either when driving around town or warming up their car in the morning, said Hollister police spokesman George Ramirez.
Eleven cars have been stolen so far this month, and four of those thefts were avoidable if people hadn’t left their car running and unattended, he said.
Many communities experience an increase in car thefts during the cold weather months because people don’t want to drive in a cold and frosty car, said Chief Jeff Miller. But a crisp car ride in the morning is better than no ride at all, he said.
“It’s an invitation to steal the car,” Miller said. “The 30 seconds you’re not at your car, that car’s traveling.”
Last year there were 132 car thefts, down from 143 in 2003. But this year thieves are off to a good start and are making their mark on neighborhoods throughout the city. No one section of town is being targeted more than another, said Officer Paula Garcia, who works the graveyard shift and often receives vehicle theft calls in the early morning hours.
Thieves walking through neighborhoods and city streets can slip into a car left unlocked and running and be gone without a trace in mere moments, she said. Cars have even been taken with the owners several feet away from them in front of the post office, donut shop and convenience stores, she said.
“People think they can come here and leave their doors unlocked,” Garcia said. “They feel they know everybody in this town. They feel comfortable.”
Comfort and safety is why many move to Hollister in the first place, but isn’t a reason to throw common sense out the window, she said.
Not only can a person’s car be stolen, but most people keep their house keys on the ring with their car keys, and garage door openers left in the car create opportunities to steal more than someone’s wheels.
“Sit in your car and have a cup of coffee with a nice warm jacket on. People don’t have to break a window anymore – they just pop open the door,” she said. “You buy a few minutes, but those few minutes can cost you.”
If someone’s car is stolen because the keys are left inside, the police department includes that information in its report and it can adversely influence the insurance company when determining coverage costs, Garcia said.
To avoid tempting a thief, Garcia said to never leave a car unattended, always lock the doors and don’t leave anything in plain sight. Also, if the garage seems like a safe place to warm up a car, make sure the door is partially open so the exhaust fumes can escape.
“Don’t leave your vehicle unattended even for a moment,” she said. “We’ve been very lucky no one has taken off in a car that had a child in it.”
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or
em*******@fr***********.com
