Don’t let auto theft ruin your holiday season

Imagine you have just finished the rest of your holiday shopping. You’re heading back to your car, looking forward to wrapping your gifts, and you notice something isn’t right.

The spot where you parked your vehicle is empty. The only thing between the white lines is shards of broken glass.

You have suddenly become a statistic in the world of auto theft.

“One of the ways we have worked to combat this crime is by having attorneys in my office dedicated to prosecuting those who are accused of auto theft,” said County Attorney James P. Walsh. “Believe it or not, the numbers have gone down in this county. We would like to think it’s our proactive stance in attacking auto theft by prosecuting those who commit that crime.”

According to the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority (AATA), this state ranked second in the nation in stolen vehicles. Over 54,000 autos were taken in 2006. Not surprisingly, Phoenix and Tucson ranked one and two statewide by vehicle theft. Casa Grande was the highest ranked Pinal County municipality at number 11.

“Auto theft isn’t an easy crime to tackle,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman David Snider. “Law enforcement has to investigate several possibilities of what could happen to the stolen vehicle. Was it taken out of the area? Was it trashed out in the desert? Was it taken to a chop shop? Car thieves have many options. I’m glad that we have fought hard to tackle this issue in the courts and make those responsible pay.”

Because it’s the holiday season, the mall parking lots are jammed with cars. In many cases those vehicles are laden with purchases from previous stops to other stores. If you are not careful, you could become a victim of auto theft. The AATA reported that December is one of the highest months for auto theft and burglaries from vehicles.

By practicing some common sense approaches when you park your car while shopping, you can make it more difficult for a would-be robber to ruin your holiday cheer.

“First of all, don’t be an easy victim,” said Supervisor Sandie Smith. “When I am out shopping at the malls, I always hide my packages. I also make sure to lock my vehicle and not leave any windows down that could make for an easy entry for a thief.”

Here are a few ways to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of vehicle theft:
· Lock your car and take your keys with you
· Park in well-lit, well-traveled areas
· Do not leave your car running and unattended
· Lock your valuables in the trunk. If you do not have a trunk, bring something to cover them and keep them out of sight. If you have a truck, you may want to invest in a tonneau cover that can be locked
· Do not keep a spare set of keys in the car
· If you have a garage, use it and keep it locked at all times
· Purchase a deterrent like an alarm, steering wheel lock or brake lock
· Register your vehicle for the AATA’s free Watch Your Car Program
· Have your car window etched with your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Go to http://www.azwatchyourcar.com/ for a list of events where window etching is offered.

There are also a lot of devices that will immobilize your vehicle and stop a thief from bypassing your ignition and hot wiring your car. They include kill switches, starter and fuel disablers, smart keys, high security locks and fuel cutoff switches.

“Technology has really advanced in today’s cars,” Supervisor Lionel Ruiz said. “At one time you were happy to have an AM/FM radio. Now you have companies like OnStar that can track your car if it is stolen. The options are there for people who want to make their vehicle less of a target.”

It can take a thief less than a minute to break into your car and take your possessions. Taking just a few minutes to make your car less of a target will make your holidays a brighter one and less appealing for a Scrooge waiting for their next free ride.