Auto Thefts Up in St. Pete

Since January, the St. Petersburg Police Department has investigated 248 auto thefts. 

According to police, in those cases 161 of the victims left their keys in the ignition; and in some cases, the engine running, as well.

In Florida, 25 percent of stolen vehicles had the keys in them, police said

St. Pete Police have released some tips to help protect your car. 

• Close all windows, lock all doors and keep the keys with you. 
• Never hide a second set of keys anywhere on your vehicle. Thieves know all of the hiding places.
• Never leave your vehicle running, even if you will only be gone for a minute; many cars are stolen at convenience stores, gas stations and ATMs. 
• Park in well-lit areas. Over 50 percent of vehicle thefts occur at night. 
• Park in attended lots. Thieves don’t like witnesses.
• Don’t become complacent if you drive an older-model vehicle. Older cars can be resold quickly or stripped for parts. Parts are often worth two to three times the value of the car.
• Put all packages and personal items out of sight. Items left in the open make your vehicle a more desirable target.

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