The Vancouver Police Department says it has seen a spike in vehicle break-ins among cars parked at athletic clubs, and the department reminded gymgoers and others to refrain from leaving valuables inside their vehicles.
Department spokeswoman Kim Kapp said police have seen 13 smash-and-grab thefts at various gyms around town so far this month, and several others in May.
In some of those auto prowls, thieves made off with electronics and credit cards, then used the latter to make fraudulent purchases.
That thieves were able to get credit cards tells Kapp that victims are leaving wallets in parked cars, and she pointed to the department’s tips to prevent these crimes.
GPS devices, cellphones, laptops, briefcases, purses, wallets and other valuables are the top targets for thieves, who are often drug users driven to steal to feed their habits, according to the department.
Many auto prowls happen in busy parking lots, such as those for gyms, restaurants, shopping centers and churches, where thieves will linger and wait for people to leave their cars unattended.
Prime targets are electronics, briefcases, purses, wallets and other valuables, and leaving valuables in the trunk often isn’t enough to deter determined thieves.
The department said thieves will often watch drivers stow things in the trunk, wait, then go smash the driver’s side window, open the door then pop the trunk.
Thieves, according to the department, know all the good hiding places.
