Have you locked your car today?
Reported vehicle break-ins are on the rise in Blenheim and more than 70 per cent of those were unlocked or had windows down, according to police.
Community Constable Russ Smith, of Blenheim, said police had noticed an upsurge of break-ins in the past few years and many were avoidable.
"Regardless of where your car is and how long you leave it, roll your windows up and lock your doors. Never leave items that might be attractive to a thief."
Mr Smith said it was rare for vehicles that had no valuables inside to be broken into.
People in Blenheim suffered from a false sense of security and believed the town was safe, although it had the same amount of crime as other towns, he said.
He was surprised by the apathetic attitude of car owners who left items like laptops and music players in plain view.
The thieves, who were typically males in their teens and early 20s, were opportunistic, organised and often stole small electronics items to sell or trade for drugs, he said.
They were more active between October and January, possibly because of the warmer weather, and sometimes had distribution chains with people ready to take the stolen goods, Mr Smith said.
In previous years after police had arrested people behind the break-ins the number of reported thefts would decrease for a few months, but another group would pop up in its place shortly afterward.
The thieves worked day and night, targeting vehicles parked on the street, in driveways and in certain areas where there was a higher chance of finding valuable items, he said.
One Blenheim couple have learnt the hard way not to leave their valuables in view. Scott and Leanne Palatchie had both their cars broken into about two weeks ago while parked in their driveway.
"Our doors were left ajar, but we thought nothing of it as we were crazy busy with wedding plans," Mrs Palatchie said.
Her husband's car was locked, but Mrs Palatchie forgot to lock hers that night because of the stress of planning their wedding.
The couple's iPods were stolen, but other items including CDs, tools and iPod cables were untouched.
Mrs Palatchie said they no longer left valuables in their cars and that just because your vehicle was in the driveway did not mean it was safe.
At least three teenagers have appeared in Blenheim District Court since last month charged with theft from vehicles around Blenheim.
Step-brothers Wayne Stretch, 17, and Ryan Stretch, 19, also known as Ryan Weavers, started a crime syndicate that broke into cars around Blenheim and took items to sell for cannabis.
Ryan Stretch was sentenced to 22 months' prison i last month and Wayne Stretch will be sentenced on February 13.
Another teen, Reuben Joseph Roberts, 17, on Monday admitted more than 20 charges of theft from a vehicle, unlawfully interfering with motor vehicles and unlawfully taking motor vehicles. He will be sentenced on March 12.
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG
Our car got broken into the other night outside our house - smashed window, iPod stolen... yet the cash sitting in the ash tray was untouched. We heard the window smash, but thought it was a car backfiring. Police couldn't get any prints. Let's just say we've learnt our lesson...
Losing small items is much better than having the whole car stolen.
Who would have guessed that leaving valuables in a car not in a locked garage is a bad idea eh?
You may as well leave the doors unlocked and the windows down. That way they won't damage the car while breaking in.
No comments:
Post a Comment