Stoneham Police Issue Warning After Uptick In Car Break-Ins

STONEHAM, MA — The Stoneham Police Department has responded to an increased number of overnight car break-ins since late August, Chief James McIntyre said. Police urged residents to take steps to protect their vehicles and belongings.

Since Aug. 26, 13 overnight break-ins have been reported in various neighborhoods in town, including near Robin Hood and South Elementary Schools, as well as downtown. In many of the cases, vehicles were left unlocked.

"Locking your car is the easiest, most effective thing you can do to prevent a criminal from entering your vehicle when you're not around," McIntyre said in a statement. "We are actively investigating these incidents, and ask anyone else who thinks they may have been a victim to contact us, and remind everyone to take steps to prevent this type of crime."

In addition to locking their vehicles, the Stoneham Police Department urges residents to avoid leaving valuables inside an unattended vehicle – especially in plain sight. The department also encourages residents to park their vehicles in well-lit areas and, if they have them, monitor personal security cameras for any suspicious activity.

The car break-ins remain under active investigation by the Stoneham Police Department, and anyone who believes they may have information that could help detectives solve them is asked to call the department at 781-438-1215.