PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
August 25, 2016

A new crime trend has escalated in the Chicago metropolitan area where thieves are stealing unlocked vehicles with keys or key fobs left inside. Over 100 vehicles have been stolen and more than 200 vehicles have been burglarized. In most reported cases, the stolen vehicles have been identified as high-end unlocked cars parked overnight in residential driveways.

This crime trend has been occurring since May in targeted areas close to major highways. Cities that have been affected include Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Wilmette, Highland Park, Glencoe, Glenview, Winnetka, Northbrook, Deerfield, Hinsdale, Bolingbrook, Naperville, and most recently Elmhurst, where two vehicles were stolen.

Elmhurst Police are alerting residents of the importance of locking car and garage doors. Leaving keys, key fobs, wallets, or any other valuables in your car puts your car at a high risk of being stolen. Installing motion sensor lights in driveways and the front of homes is recommended as a deterrent.

Elmhurst Police Chief Michael Ruth advises, “In a majority of the cases, the stolen vehicles have been left unlocked with the keys in the car. If the thieves did not find the keys, they stole what they could. We have an escalated alert out to all residents, asking them to please lock their vehicles and take the keys with them. If the thieves do not have success in committing this crime in Elmhurst, they will stop targeting this area.”

Elmhurst Police remind us that there are 3 elements that must be present to commit a crime: desire, ability and opportunity. Residents can remove the criminal’s opportunity by always locking car doors, and removing the keys and any valuables from the vehicle.

Authority:
Chief Michael Ruth
Elmhurst Police Department
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