49 Crime Tracker: Auto thefts up, car break-ins down
12:09 p.m. Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Auto thefts spiked 91 percent in the Capital City, from 11 reported to Topeka Police two weeks ago, to 21 last week.
As many as 17 of the cars were unlocked when they were stolen; keys were left inside as many as 11 of them; and two of the cars were left running when they were taken, according to police records.
Among the auto thefts, a car was stolen from the parking lot of a gas station at 17th and Topeka when the driver left her car running while she went inside.
“I left the car running, because I had the puppy in there,” said Michelle Hummel, the victim. “I was only inside a minute, came outside, and no car and no puppy.”
A thief took off with her car and the $900 dog. Police found both.
But, seven other auto-theft victims from last week weren’t so lucky. Police reports show their cars haven’t been recovered.
Reports of car break-ins have gone down the last four weeks in a row. From Jan. 18-24, there were 26 break-ins reported. There were 25 reported the following week, 22 two weeks ago and just 21 last week.
Police said they’ve been conducting special operations to reduce the number of car break-ins, which are happening citywide. Police reports show thieves are stealing stereos, purses, digital cameras and other electronics people leave behind.
Make sure you’re doing your part to reduce crime in Topeka, by locking up your cars and not leaving valuables behind. And even though it’s cold outside, police remind you not to leave your vehicle running unsupervised.
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