APD responds to recent rise in entering autos

ALBANY, Ga. – The Albany Police Department addressed the rise and concern of car thefts and break-ins in the community.

Providing insights into the recent instances of entering autos, Albany Police Chief Persley detailed the occurrences and outlined the department’s response.

“Detectives in our Criminal Investigative Bureau, we’re investigating several entering autos that occurred at apartment complexes in other locations in the Hilltop Drive area right off Stuart Avenue. During the course of their investigations, detectives have identified a 16-year-old and a 13-year-old male as suspects in this case. The 16-year-old was detained and placed in the Terrell County ROYDC, on entering autos, financial transaction, car theft, and fraud charges. We’re still seeking the 13-year-old who will be charged with similar charges in these incidents,” said Chief Michael Persley, Chief of Police, Albany Police Department.

The APD revealed that a notable pattern among the recent vehicle thefts involved a focus on Kia automobiles manufactured between 2010 and 2022 on select models. Social media trends have unveiled methods on how to hotwire these vehicles, bypassing the need for a key.

Chief Persley offered valuable safety guidance to the community to reduce vulnerability to theft.

“If you think it’s a rough neighborhood, you think it’s a safe neighborhood, it doesn’t matter. Please do not leave your vehicles running and definitely do not leave your car doors open. That’s an easy invitation for anyone who’s looking for an opportunity to take your vehicle. If you can do not carry any cash, just deal in using debit cards or credit cards to limit opportunities of you being a target for robbery. Let people know where you’re going and try to stick as best you can to your schedule. So, should anything happen, they know where you were at and what time you’re supposed to return. If you can secure your vehicle inside of a garage, or a fenced area, fine, if not, at least keep it in a well-lit area. That’s what we can do. The education part, as far as on the community standpoint, it’s a whole lot that we all can do, is making sure our property is is protected and we’ve taken the necessary steps,” said Chief Persley.

De’Andra Jacobs reporting.

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