APD provides tips to avoid becoming victim to car thieves

ALBANY, Ga. – The Albany Police Department is reporting an alarming increase in the number of vehicle thefts in recent weeks.

Investigators say it only takes a few seconds for someone to take off with a car that’s on and running. So even though it’s cold and may be tempting to leave a car warm, take a few seconds  to just turn it off and secure keys before running inside. It could make all the difference to avoid becoming a victim to car thieves.

Cpl. Thomas Perry

“A lot of people think it’s not going to happen to them and say ‘I’m only going inside for a quick second and nothing’s going to happen’ and they don’t know that these guys are actually out watching and looking out for just that very thing and as soon as you walk out get out of the car and go inside they walk right up, get into the car and take off, takes less than a few seconds,” says Cpl. Thomas Perry with the Albany Police Department.

Investigators with the Property Section have received over 25 reports for a stolen vehicle in the last two weeks.

“Over half of those were people leaving their cars running at a location, trying to run inside real quick and their cars are gone before they know it.”

And as the weather is turning colder, APD warns that the numbers could increase even further. So while it may seem like a good idea to keep a car running to keep it warm, someone might see it as an opportunity to take off  with your car.

“It’s very tempting, I’m from South Georgia too, I don’t like being cold but I also don’t like being without a car so even if you want to turn your car on in the morning just to warm it up, probably not a good idea if you’re not willing to part ways with your car.”

Perry says another issue is leaving key fobs to keyless cars inside a vehicle over night, so if you don’t want to deal with the headache of having your car stolen, choose to keep your keys on you at all times.