The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office says it is seeing another spike in car burglaries throughout the county.
The Sheriff’s Office has taken 17 reports of burglaries during the past five weeks (9/14/2020-10/18/2020). In comparison, throughout the same time period in 2019 the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office had eight reported car burglaries.
Several handguns have reported being stolen from the recent rash of vehicle burglaries.
“It sounds so simple, but locking your car is the easiest way to prevent a vehicle burglary,” Sheriff Darin Balaam said. “I encourage residents to take their valuables and any handguns out of their car and bring those inside when locking their car at night. Let’s work together to help prevent vehicle burglaries.”
The Office reminds residents of these suggested prevention tips:
Don’t leave valuables in the car. If you don’t need to take valuables with you for an outing, leave them safely at home. If valuables must be left in a vehicle, be sure to lock them in the trunk or glove compartment not under jackets or blankets behind the seat as that is one of the first places criminals look
Leave no trace. Don't leave any sign that there might be valuables hidden in a vehicle by leaving items such as docking stations or connector cables visible. Leave nothing in plain sight that might make the vehicle a target for thieves, not even loose coins
Be sure to set the car alarm or anti-theft devices. These are still effective deterrents against criminals who are looking for the easiest target
Keep windows completely closed. Partially open windows may make your vehicle an easier target for thieves
Lock the door when leaving the car. Still one of the most common issues with vehicle burglaries
