Especially GPS devices – a favorite target of thieves
DEARBORN – Theft of items from vehicles is a common crime – one that motorists can help fight by not leaving items of value in plain view, police advise. That includes everything from briefcases and purses to digital media players and laptop computers.
A favorite target of thieves is a vehicle’s Global Positioning System navigation unit. GPS owners should make sure to stow the devices out of sight whenever they leave their vehicles, no matter where the vehicles are parked. This type of crime is not limited to just parking lots in shopping areas – even vehicles parked on residential streets can become targets.
Police urge motorists to be sure to keep any valuables out of sight whenever leaving their vehicles – lock them up in the trunk or stow them in the glove compartment or other non-visible spot. Also, lock vehicles whenever they are parked, even if it’s just for a few moments.
A similar crime – not yet seen in Dearborn but one that is emerging as a trend in other area communities – is when thieves break into a vehicle and steal the home garage door opener, along with the vehicle registration or GPS unit.
Using the registration or GPS unit to identify the vehicle owner’s home address, the thieves go to the home and gain entry to it by using the garage door opener.
Residents are advised to keep their garage door openers out of plain sight in their vehicles. Another level of safety is to remove the garage door opener and anything with a home address on it (such as a car registration or GPS unit) whenever the vehicle is parked.