Car Thefts, Attempts More Than Doubled In Naperville In Early 2024

NAPERVILLE, IL — Car thefts and attempted car thefts more than doubled in Naperville at the start of 2024, compared to the same timeframe in 2023. These and other property crimes were shown to have surged, according to the Naperville Police Department's mid-year crime statistics.

The report analyzed crime data from Jan. 1, 2024, through June 30, 2024. Police responded to 55 car thefts or attempted car thefts during this time period. In contrast, the first six months of 2023 saw 24 vehicle thefts or attempts.

Car burglaries were also on the rise during the start of 2024, with 80 vehicle burglaries reported, as opposed to 69 in 2023. According to police, 75 percent of the car burglaries they investigated in the first part of 2024 had been committed on unlocked vehicles.

Unlocked buildings were also largely the target of most house burglaries, though residential and commercial burglaries did see a dip, per this year's mid-year crime report. In early 2024, 37 buildings were burglarized, whereas 45 were burglarized at the start of 2023. Over half of the residential burglaries reported in early 2024 were committed on buildings that were not secured.

In a statement, Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres said,

"As we enter the second half of 2024, we ask that residents continue to practice situational awareness and report suspicious activity or concerning behavior to our department. As the saying goes, if you 'See Something, Say Something.' Additionally, we ask that residents continue to follow the recommendations of our 'Lock It or Lose It' campaign – keep valuables out of plain sight and lock your homes and vehicles. That community partnership, along with NPD’s proactive efforts, will keep Naperville one of the safest cities of its size in America."

Click the link to see Naperville Police Department's full 2024 mid-year crime statistics.