HELP VIRGINIA BEACH POLICE PUT A FREEZE ON WINTER WEATHER AUTO THEFTS

The Virginia Beach Police Department is requesting your assistance to reduce vehicle thefts across the city. 

As the weather turns cooler, some residents have left their cars running unattended with the keys in the ignition to warm up.  As a result, many of these vehicles are subsequently stolen by a thief who would otherwise not have had the opportunity to do so.

From October 1 to November 30, 2009, the police department had 9 motor vehicles reported stolen across the city where the owners had left their keys in the vehicle, or the vehicle was left unattended with the engine running.  This is a decrease in number from last year, when 19 cars were reported stolen with the keys left inside during the same time period.  From January 2008 to November 30, 2008, 581 cars were reported stolen in the city.  In 2009 during the same time frame, that number decreased to 521 cars reported stolen.  During the months of January-November 2009, the percentage of stolen cars being reported where the keys were left inside the car has increased from 11.9% in 2008 to 12.9% in 2009.  

For the safety of our residents and visitors, please assist the Virginia Beach Police Department in reducing this crime of opportunity by turning off your engine, locking your vehicle, and taking your keys with you whenever you leave your vehicle unattended.

For more information on vehicle theft prevention, as well as other crime prevention and safety tips, please visit the Virginia Beach Police Department’s home page at http://www.vbgov.com/police, and select Safety Tips under CRIME PREVENTION. You may also contact the Crime Prevention Unit by calling (757) 385-1006 or the Detective Bureau’s Auto Theft Unit at (757) 385-4101.

If you have information about an Auto Theft Crime, you are encouraged to call Virginia Beach Crime Solvers at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (562-5887). Callers remain anonymous and could receive a reward of up to a $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest.  You can also contact H.E.A.T. (Help Eliminate Auto Theft) at 1-800-947- HEAT (4328) where you never have to give your name or appear in court.