DuPage County Sheriff’s Office
Date Issued: February 18, 2020
Law enforcement agencies throughout the suburbs have been battling a rapidly increasing number of burglary to motor vehicle and vehicle theft calls that reaches into the hundreds. While we’re doing our best, it’s our residents who hold the most single-most effective car burglary deterrent in their hands... their key fobs
The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, the DuPage County Chief of Police Association and DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin are teaming up to develop new strategies to combat the crews, many who have been captured on doorbell cameras, sneaking into subdivisions in the late night and early morning hours, lifting door handles of every car they can find. In many cases, if the car is locked, they move on.
“Don’t make it easy for them,” Berlin said. “Car burglars troll neighborhoods pulling on door handles hoping to get lucky. The simple act of locking your doors and closing all the windows, including sunroofs, can go a long way in sending a would-be car burglar away. Additionally, do not leave valuables in your car and if you must, put your valuables in the trunk and out of sight.”
Unlocked cars, however, have provided a treasure trove of everything from loose change to weapons to criminals. In several reported burglaries, the suspects have also removed the garage door openers and stolen items from the garages. Suspects have also been reported stealing cars from garages and driveways when the keyless fobs have been left on the car seats or in cup
Holders.
“The overwhelming majority of burglaries occur in unlocked vehicles. Burglars don’t want to draw attention to themselves by breaking windows,” said Wood Dale Police Chief Greg Vesta, who also presides over the Association. “Instead they choose easy targets. Residents can stop crime right in their front yards by doing one simple thing, locking their car every night.”
In addition to asking residents to make locking their doors part of their nightly routine, Sheriff James Mendrick is reminding residents to remain vigilant when they see suspicious activity. “Please report everything. Call the police on any suspicious vehicles in your neighborhood,” Mendrick said. “No call is too small for us to come out. We need your help to stop these burglaries in our neighborhoods. If we all work together we can bring these criminals to justice.”
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DuPage County Sheriff’s Office
501 N. County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
Director of Communications
Justin Kmitch
630-407-2010
