The Las Cruces Police Department saw a spike in automobile burglaries this weekend, including at least 10 that occurred in the High Range and Sonoma Ranch neighborhoods.
It appears the vast majority of auto burglaries reported this weekend may well have been prevented had windows been rolled up and doors locked. Police discovered that nearly all of the vehicles were knowingly left unlocked or showed no signs of forced entry.
Police believe auto burglary perpetrators simply walk neighborhoods – or parking lots – pulling door handles with the hopes of finding an unlocked vehicle. Most of the burglaries are deemed ‘crimes of opportunity’ since very little effort is needed to commit such a crime.
Once in the vehicle, the perpetrator needs only seconds to rummage through the passenger compartment or pop open a trunk.
The Las Cruces Police Department recommends:
- Park vehicles in a garage, driveway or well-lighted area.
- Remove valuables (purses, wallets, backpacks, personal electronics, etc.) from the passenger compartment.
- Conceal other items (CDs, tools, loose change, cell phone chargers, etc.) normally kept in a vehicle.
- Close all windows and lock all doors.
- Remove garage door remote controls, or openers, from vehicles.
- Install and use an audible alarm system.
- Be a good neighbor and report any suspicious activity.
Anyone who witnesses an auto burglary in progress is asked to refrain from confronting the suspects. Instead, witnesses are asked to immediately call 911 and be prepared to provide the call-taker with an accurate description of the suspect or suspects, and license plate information of the vehicle they are in.
Information from Las Cruces Police