Lock Your Cars, Remove Keys Say Waltham Police After Car Theft

WALTHAM, MA — Police are asking residents to remember to lock their cars and remember to take the keys, after a woman reportedly stole an unlocked car that had the keys in it on Moody Street this week.

"Many of the things we deal with are crimes of opportunity," police officials posted to social media Wednesday. "We wanted to remind everyone that when you exit your vehicle, even if only for a few minutes, please make sure to remove your valuables, take your keys, and lock your doors. Removing the opportunity will lessen the chance you will become a victim of crime."

The National Insurance Crime Bureau reported that 229,339 cars across the country were stolen between 2016 and 2018 after owners left them unlocked and with the keys in them.

In Waltham Monday a man flagged down a police officer just before 5 p.m. reporting his car was stolen from in front of a pizza shop on Moody Street. The man described his car and the officer sent the description across the police radio. Moments later, a police officer on a paid detail saw the car headed north on Moody Street.

Police said the detail officer followed the car and gave updates of its location until responding officers could arrive and stop it on Derby Street. Police arrested the 26-year-old woman and charged her with one count of larceny of a motor vehicle.

Police praised the detail officer for his quick thinking.

"Police officers on detail are not just there to manage traffic movement," police officials posted to Facebook. "They are also there to observe and provide a presence on the street to assist officers who are on duty and the general public. In this case the assistance of the detail officer was a huge part of the capture of this alleged thief."

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how .