With more than 150 cars stolen in Hollister during the past
year, police are advising local motorists to be a little more
protective of their vehicles.
With more than 150 cars stolen in Hollister during the past year, police are advising local motorists to be a little more protective of their vehicles.
A total of 156 cars were reported stolen in Hollister during the past year, a slight increase from the reported 148 auto thefts in 2001, police said.
A car or pickup truck in Hollister was stolen about once every two days during 2002, according to police statistics.
“I think this is a painful a reminder for people to help us try and prevent auto theft,” Hollister Police Capt. Richard Vasquez said.
He said just because Hollister is a fairly quiet, small city does not mean people aren’t susceptible to the same types of crime that occur in larger cities.
The number of auto thefts was highest between March and July, when the average number of thefts went from about 13 per month to 17.6.
Vasquez said the springtime increase isn’t out of the ordinary. As the weather gets a little warmer, car thieves get a little more brave and also get more opportunities to steal cars when more people are away from their homes, he said.
“It obvious that because there are a lot of people out and about, they become targets of car thieves,” Vasquez said.
Motorists can lower the risk of losing a car – or at least ease the sting of having one stolen – if they follow some advice:
Make sure you have a record of all pertinent information about your car stored safely at home, including a copy of the registration, vehicle identification number and license plate number.
Take a picture of your car periodically, including any specially installed equipment. This will help prove its condition and value if it is stolen.
Drop your business card under floor mats and down through window slots so it’s hidden between the door panels. This makes your car easier to identify if police find it.
Invest in an anti-theft device that fits your budget.
Never leave a running vehicle unattended.
Always lock your car and take your keys with you — no matter how quickly you’ll be back.
Close the windows completely, including the sunroof.
Park in well-lit areas where vehicle and foot traffic will deter theft.
Place any valuables, packages, cell phones, radios, purses, briefcases or laptop computers out of sight.
Nationally, a car is stolen every 20 seconds at a cost of more than $8 billion per year, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The 10 most frequently stolen vehicles in the country are at least four years old and are snatched from personal driveways, neighborhood streets and shopping malls, statistics say.
