Police in Dutchess County reported a spate of vehicle break-ins across the county in the Town of Union Vale, Village of Millbrook and the Town of Washington.
Vehicles are being stolen or entered in part because victims have kept their vehicle unlocked, with the keys in it, according to New York State Police in Troop K in Dutchess County.
The recent break-ins continue a trend that started last summer, when police from across the region called on the public to take preventative measures against not only break-ins but car theft as well.
From March to July 2020, New York State Police reported that more than 400 vehicles were stolen in Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess and Rockland counties. Last summer, New York State Police asked for the public’s assistance to help curb the recent increase in car theft in the lower Hudson Valley. At the time, numerous arrests had been made and some vehicles had been recovered.
The area is believed to be most affected by vehicle break-ins because of its proximity to Connecticut, said Abdul Weed, Senior Investigator for the State Police at the Poughkeepsie barracks, in a phone interview.
In Connecticut, a State Police Auto Theft Task Force was created last summer to address the problem with a large-scale investigation.
“It’s easy for people to just come across over the state line, commit a crime, and then make their way back over,” said Weed.
At the end of May this year, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office reported several larcenies from vehicles as well as thefts of actual vehicles themselves. In each case, the perpetrators targeted vehicles that were unlocked with the key fobs inside.
Police advise locking your car doors even in your own driveway, and especially overnight as vehicles are usually targeted during early morning hours. Additionally, leave all the windows and sunroofs closed, park in well-lit areas, don’t leave valuables in your car, and never leave your vehicle unattended while it is running.
“The public is leaving their vehicles unlocked with valuables and keys inside of them,” said Weed. “It makes their vehicles an easy target for someone to come through and take their belongings and even their vehicle.”
The recent cases are still open, although Weed said they are working on a few leads.
The State Police in Poughkeepsie are requesting that anyone with home surveillance cameras check footage from Aug. 17 between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m., especially if you reside on Hoofprint Road in Union Vale, Fountain Place in Millbrook, Weatherford Lane in Millbrook, Horseshoe Road in the Town of Washington, Verbank Road in the Town of Washington, Maple Hill Road in the Town of Washington, and Rodrigo Court in the Town of Washington.
Anyone with information pertaining to these break-ins is asked to contact Inv. Melilli at SP Poughkeepsie at carmelo.melilli@troopers.ny.gov or by calling (845) 677-7379.
More Hudson Valley News
"break" - Google News
August 24, 2021 at 12:53AM
https://ift.tt/3B6yy9W
Car break-ins still a problem in Hudson Valley - Albany Times Union
"break" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3dlJq82
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Car break-ins still a problem in Hudson Valley - Albany Times Union"
Post a Comment