A spate of vehicle thefts and thefts from vehicles brought reminders from police this week:
• Lock vehicle doors, even in the driveway or garage.
• Don’t leave valuables in the vehicle.
• Never leave a key in the ignition.
At least nine vehicles were reported stolen the past week in Emporia and Lyon County.
“Several have had keys left in them,” said Deputy Chief Mike Williams. “It’s just an open invitation to take them.”
Williams said that several of the vehicles taken did have keys inside. In at least one instance, police recovered the abandoned car and the owner said that nothing was missing.
A number of other vehicles became targets for burglaries. Items taken ranged from small amounts of cash to billfolds, credit cards, and electronic equipment.
“I don’t know how to stress the point,” Williams said. “I know people are trusting, but in this day and age ... if you leave all your stuff in the car, at some point in time, it’s going to disappear.”
Because most of the break-ins and thefts occur under cover of night, there are rarely any witnesses to provide descriptions, or even to call police during the incidents. That can make the case almost impossible to solve, unless citizens come forward with information or leads.
“Right now, we need all the help we can get,” Williams said. “If you see something, please call us.”
Anonymous calls to provide information also can be made through the Lyon County CrimeStoppers reporting line, 342-2273 (342-CARE).
kleenex (anonymous) says...
I'm originally from a big town and it blows me away how trusting Emporians can be! I know several people who will leave thier purse or wallet or even cash in plain site in the car and leave the doors unlocked. Or, go into someplace and leave their keys in the car! I was taught not only to lock my car doors, but to make sure that no one can see anything valuable. If I don't take my purse in somewhere, I either cover it up with something or put it in the trunk. People make fun of me because I ALWAYS have my doors locked whether I'm in my car or out of my car, in my house or out of my house, and they always ask what I think is going to happen. Well, I could get robbed is what could happen. It only takes a second for someone to open your car door and take your purse. I can admit that I'm a little paranoid. But there are people out there who make wrong choices and I'd rather be cautious than to have them steal my stuff. Why put yourself through worrying about cancelling credit cards and how you're going to replace your cash that was stolen if all it takes to prevent it is locking your doors?
July 6, 2007 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
photobuggy2 (anonymous) says...
I usually lock my vehicle, but one night I forgot and all my CD's were taken. I don't leave anything in the car any more...even in the driveway its locked.
July 6, 2007 at 1:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MerleCrimbatt (anonymous) says...
Up Periscope! This whole thing’s got me worked up. I’ll be hidden down low (like a C.H.U.D.) in the sewers, but looking on the main level for all the suspicious or alarming activity, ready to report.
Howdy folks, the Marlin here again.
Hey lady, good tip on hiding your purse under junk in your car or putting it in your trunk. But now won’t the robbers reading this look for cars with piles of junk in them (or cars with trunks (only)) and think, “hey man, there could be good stuff under that (BAD) stuff/or trunked in, so let’s break in and get it?” And Emporia IS a big town – there’s a hot dog stand and a ‘snoots-for-less’ outlet nearby.
I have advice and this may sound crazy at first but hear me out. OK? Stay in your car or don’t get in it to begin with. It’s that simple and if you’ve gotta put stuff in your car, fasten it down or make sure it’s junk you don’t want anyway.
Merle “The Marlin” Crimbatt
July 6, 2007 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Doug (anonymous) says...
I grew up in a big town too. Kansas City, you may have heard of it. Last time the brain surgeons broke into my locked car, they missed the window twice with their crow bar before hitting the glass. Same results, stuff stolen but now I have to replace the window and the damage to the door.
July 6, 2007 at 4:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kleenex (anonymous) says...
I'm not saying that it still won't happen if you hide your purse or other valuables. I'd be living a life of denial if I believed that. Like I said, I'm from a bigger city so I know that break-ins happen all the time. But, if someone sees your purse sitting right out there in the open (and they're scoping out cars to break in to), they're going to be MORE LIKELY to break in to that car (I'm mostly thinking of parking lots in this case). And if it's already unlocked for them, you've just made their job that much easier! When you're parked at home and your car is locked, then you've done everything you can to protect your property. Those are the people I feel sorry for. Seriously...we're not living in the 50's anymore where we can trust everyone to be friendly and to do the right thing (no, I'm not saying that crime didn't happen back then!). I don't know. I'm just saying be smart...use common sense. Not everyone out there is nice. And it's not like it's a difficult thing to lock up and carry your keys in.
July 6, 2007 at 7:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mythoughts (anonymous) says...
kleenex, have you noticed how--in the winter--people in town not only leave their keys in the car, THEY LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING?!?!?! I can't count on all five appendages the number of lovely vehicles I could have driven off with if I had a mind to in February--it's hilarious! If you don't care about the gas prices, couldn't you at least care about the environment? Put on a COAT for heaven's sake. haha
July 6, 2007 at 8:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kleenex (anonymous) says...
Yes, I have noticed that. I think the only real exception to that would be if a person has an older car that really does need to warm up, or if there are babies or young children involved. I do warm up the car a little for my son because kids are not supposed to wear heavy coats while in their carseats. However, I have a spare key to my car and I lock it while it's warming up. Told you all I'm paranoid!
July 6, 2007 at 11:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )