30 auto-related thefts in 10 days

“Although Alameda enjoys relatively low crime rates, auto-theft and theft from autos has become a common crime, not only in Alameda, but in many jurisdictions” said Lt. Sean Lynch of the Alameda Police Department.

In the last ten days, there have been more than 30 reports of car-related theft in the city of Alameda.

“Although Alameda enjoys relatively low crime rates, auto-theft and theft from autos has become a common crime, not only in Alameda, but in many jurisdictions” said Lt. Sean Lynch of the Alameda Police Department.
These crimes vary in severity and range from broken windows and stolen loose change, to the more serious offense of grand theft auto.

Purses, wallets, mp3 players, and legal documents are among the list of items stolen from car interiors, while license plates and wheels were reported removed from several vehicle exteriors.

“Obviously, criminals are looking for things that make their jobs easy,” Lynch said.

“These crimes go beyond the items stolen.  Victims of theft also run the risk of stolen identity and misuse of their credit and debit cards.”

He encouraged citizens to make sure their vehicles are locked and valuables are kept hidden.

“There is any number of reasons that make auto-theft more or less likely” he said.

While there is a perception that during the summer months—when school is out—crime rates spike, such presuppositions are not always supported by the statistics.

“You can have one type of the car stolen and recovered within hours in another jurisdiction because and individual simply needed transportation.  Other times, cars are stolen to commit more serious crimes.  And there is always the likelihood that cars are stolen for parts.  In light of the economy, people have fewer resources to get their cars repaired and there is a large underground market for stolen parts” Lynch said.  “Asian autos from the 1990s are very popular for car thieves.”

While Lynch advised citizens to always take the basic steps to prevent theft, he notes that many are victimized for reasons beyond their control.  “The idea to remember is that we never want anyone to get hurt trying to preserve their things because in the end, it’s just stuff.”

In the last ten days, there have been more than 30 reports of car-related theft in the city of Alameda.

“Although Alameda enjoys relatively low crime rates, auto-theft and theft from autos has become a common crime, not only in Alameda, but in many jurisdictions” said Lt. Sean Lynch of the Alameda Police
Department.

These crimes vary in severity and range from broken windows and stolen loose change, to the more serious offense of grand theft auto.  Purses, wallets, mp3 players, and legal documents are among the list of items stolen from car interiors, while license plates and wheels were reported removed from several vehicle exteriors.

“Obviously, criminals are looking for things that make their jobs easy,” Lynch said. “These crimes go beyond the items stolen.  Victims of theft also run the risk of stolen identity and misuse of their credit and debit cards.”  He encouraged citizens to make sure their vehicles are locked and valuables are kept hidden.

“There is any number of reasons that make auto-theft more or less likely” he said.  While there is a perception that during the summer months—when school is out—crime rates spike, such presuppositions are not always supported by the statistics.

“You can have one type of the car stolen and recovered within hours in another jurisdiction because and individual simply needed transportation.  Other times, cars are stolen to commit more serious crimes.  And there is always the likelihood that cars are stolen for parts.  In light of the economy, people have fewer resources to get their cars repaired and there is a large underground market for stolen parts” Lynch said.  “Asian autos from the 1990s are very popular for car thieves.”

While Lynch advised citizens to always take the basic steps to prevent theft, he notes that many are victimized for reasons beyond their control.  “The idea to remember is that we never want anyone to get hurt trying to preserve their things because in the end, it’s just stuff.”