San Marcos Police Warn Residents to Lock It or Lose It

A rash of car burglaries has led the San Marcos Police Department to begin a campaign to remind residents not to leave valuables in vehicles.

San Marcos residents have reported 55 car burglaries this month, that’s up from just 15 in March 2015 and 25 in March 2014.

When reporting burglaries this month residents reported the following items stolen from their vehicles: wallets, handbags, weapons, ammunition, cash, tools, credit cards, electronic devices and other items.  In some cases multiple items were stolen.

“The best way to deter thieves from breaking into your car is to make it more difficult and less appealing,” said Corporal Laray Taylor with the San Marcos Police Department. “In many of these cases residents left cell phones and purses in plain view or left their vehicles unlocked, that’s why we’re reminding residents to lock it or lose it.”

Corporal Taylor says a number of the burglaries took place in apartment complexes geared toward students, but there are also instances of vehicles burglaries in single-family neighborhoods this month.

He suggests the following tips to avoid car burglaries and theft:

• Never leave the keys inside the vehicle
  • Make sure windows are all the way up before locking your vehicle
  • Lock your vehicle even if you are only going to be away for a short time
  • Lock your vehicle even if it is parked in your driveway, inside your garage, or on the street in front of your residence
  • Make sure to activate your vehicle alarm whenever you exit/lock your vehicle
  • Do not leave valuables (i.e. purses, wallets, phones, cameras, computers, firearms, etc.) inside your vehicle even if it is locked
  • Even if your vehicle is locked and alarmed, do not attempt to “hide” valuables under the seat or under an item of clothing in the vehicle
  • If you have a removable faceplate on your stereo, always remove and take it with you.  Do not leave it in the glove compartment.
  • Report any theft from your vehicle immediately to the San Marcos Police Department. • If you observe someone acting suspiciously near your vehicle or in your neighborhood, report it immediately by dialing 9-1-1.
  • Do not keep a “Hide-a-Key” in the wheel well. Burglars will look for this.

Follow the San Marcos Police Department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/smcpa for more tips on preventing car burglaries and other public safety information.