SHERIFF’S OFFICE- Car Thefts, While Down, Remain Top Investigated Crime

The Sheriff’s Office’s crime prevention newsletter, “Partners in Crime Prevention,” has been posted. It points out that the number of car theft cases that the Sheriff’s Office investigated in 2024 are down over the pandemic years, but car theft remains the top investigated crime for the Sheriff’s Office.

This issue of the newsletter has reminders of practical measures that you can take to prevent your vehicle from theft.

 

 

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7240

 

HOLIDAY SHOPPING – Staying Safe at the Mall

While much of our shopping has migrated online, sometimes we still need to go to a physical store to purchase those special Christmas gifts. Like online, there are safety and crime prevention measures that you should take to ensure that you have a successful and safe shopping experience.

Parking and securing your car.

·         Park your car in a well-lit busy area, near the front of the mall/store if possible.

·         Be sure nothing is showing inside the car. Keep any purchases out of sight in the trunk.

·         LOCK YOUR CAR!!! If you have a remote key fob, take it with you. Do not leave keys or key fobs in your car.!!

·         Make a note of where you parked so that you can go to it without looking like you are lost.

·         On the way back have your car keys in your hand so that you do not have to fumble to get them out of your pocket or purse.

·         When you get back inside, lock your car.

Walking around the street or mall.

·         Shop with some friends. There is strength in numbers.

·         Be aware of your surroundings. Look out for unusual activity.

·         Walk in busy, well-lit areas. Stay away from isolated areas.

·         Don’t be distracted by your phone. Take out your earbuds or earphones. It is easier to hear what is going on around you without earbuds or earphones in your ears.

·         Keep your purse close to your body. Keep keys and wallets in a front pocket.

·         Be aware of exit locations in case of an emergency.

Shopping.

·         Don’t carry a lot of cash.

·         Avoid ATM’s. If you need to get cash, go to an ATM inside the mall, in a store, or in a bank. Shield the keypad from view by strangers. Keep the receipt, do not throw it away in a public trash can.

·         When paying for your purchases, try using your digital wallet, credit card, or debit card instead of cash.

·         Use just one credit/debit card. If your account has a data breach, then only one credit/debit card is affected.

·         If you are eating at the food court, keep your packages near you, under the table if possible.

·         Save your receipts. Check your bank/credit/debit card account regularly for unusual activity.

·         If you have purchased a large item, ask for help loading it into your car.

For more safe shopping tips, check out the following links:

 

 

 

KOMO News:

https://komonews.com/news/offbeat/shoppers-beware-how-to-protect-yourself-and-your-purchases-during-black-friday-madness-shopping-deals-palm-beach-outlets-gardens-mall-florida-november-29-2024?s=09

 

State Farm Insurance:

https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/family/black-friday-shopping-safety-list

 

The Hearty Soul:

https://theheartysoul.com/holiday-shopping-safety-tips/

 

Everett Police Department:

https://www.everettwa.gov/1095/Vehicle-Prowl-Prevention

https://www.everettwa.gov/1092/Personal-Safety

 

 

CAR REGISTRATION – New Registration Form Helps Protect Privacy

A problem that has developed over the past several years has been car prowlers taking information from car registrations to use in identity theft or taking the address information, then going to the address to burglarize a house. This occurs especially when the car prowler knows that the car owner will be away from the house for a longer period of time; like when they are at a movie or musical event.

The state of Washington’s Department of Licensing has redesigned its vehicle registration form to help improve the vehicle owner’s privacy and to reduce the chances of a thief using the information on the registration to steal from the vehicle owner.

The redesign moves the vehicle registration address to the bottom of the form below a dashed line. According to a notice on the Department of Licensing’s vehicle registration web page, the dotted line is intended to show where you can cut the form to remove the address before you place it in a safe place in your vehicle. Whether you remove the address is up to you, but you do have the option now to remove the address.

Before this, some people would black out the address or make a copy and keep it on their smartphone to show to a police officer should they need to. While electronic copies are Ok according to state law and blanking out the address has been encouraged by some local police agencies, this redesign makes it clearer that the vehicle owner can remove the address if they want to do so.

Posted on Facebook, January 30, 2023

 

 

Washington State Department of Licensing:

https://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/

 

HOLIDAY SHOPPING – The Three S’s

While much of holiday shopping is accomplished online now, there may be some gifts that you want to purchase in person at the mall or a local store. Securing your purchases becomes important as you do your shopping.

Parking lots and garages become large areas of opportunity for car prowlers who become attracted to the many vehicles with products they can sell for cash or drugs.

The Lynnwood Police Department recommends thinking about the “three S’s” as you go through a parking lot or garage:

·         Scan your surroundings. Be aware of what is going on around you. Look for anything suspicious like someone watching or checking out cars in the lot. Report suspicious activity to police or local security.

·         Stow your valuables away discreetly. Place your purchases in your trunk where they are out of view. Car prowlers look for anything that might be of value that they can easily see through the windows. And that can be anything, even a duffle bag that has dirty laundry. Nothing should be showing through the windows in the passenger cabin, valuable or not. Some police agencies even recommend that if you take purchases to your car that you move your car to another part of the parking lot, in case a car prowler has seen you place your valuable item in your car.

·         Secure your purchases. Roll up your windows and lock your car. Don’t make it easy for a car prowler. If your vehicle is locked, most car prowlers will move on to another target.

Recent reporting from KIRO TV News quoted police sources as recommending shoppers carry valuable purchases with them. Other suggestions included asking the store if you could pick up your purchases when you are finished shopping or asking if they can ship the purchase to your home.

  

KIRO TV:

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/police-ramping-up-patrols-during-holiday-shopping-season-how-keep-your-purchases-safe/NFLYHFXGVRFJRPALFRXSRIP7TQ/

  

Catalytic converters remain an attractive target for car prowlers with prices for the precious metals that they contain remaining high. For a good analysis of where your stolen catalytic converter goes after it is taken from your vehicle check out this article,

The Seattle Times:

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/dude-wheres-my-catalytic-converter-probably-back-in-the-supply-chain/

 

South Snohomish County Crime Watch:

https://ssnoccrimewatch.blogspot.com/2021/07/catalytic-converters-how-to-prevent-big.html

 

CATALYTIC CONVERTERS – Rare Metals Attracting Thieves

Over the past several months, thieves have been stealing catalytic converters throughout the Puget Sound region. And for some reason, catalytic converter thieves are concentrating on Toyota Prius’.

Catalytic converters convert harmful gases from your car’s exhaust system into less harmful gases and are mandated by federal law to be on all new vehicles. They contain rare, precious metals that are part of the conversion process. The metals attract thieves because they can get a little more for them at metal recyclers.

Thieves can get around $100 for a catalytic converter while the replacement cost for a car owner can be up to $3,000 to $4,000.

Thieves target vehicles that are easier to crawl under such as SUV’s and trucks. Prius’ may be targeted because they are easy to lift.

Removing a catalytic converter can take less than two minutes. Catalytic converters may be bolted or welded to the car frame. Thieves need a wrench or a reciprocating saw for the easy removal.

Reports of catalytic converter thefts have been made throughout the Puget Sound region including Edmonds, Everett, Monroe, Bellingham, Auburn, and Woodinville. The thefts can take place overnight, but police have noted many reports of them occurring in broad daylight in parking lots of grocery stores or shopping areas. Sometimes the thieves wear traffic vests to look like a worker or mechanic and if asked what they are doing just say that they are working on the car.

Victims of the theft have returned to their vehicles to a noisy sounding engine when they turn it on.

Some things that you can do to prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen include,

 

·         Park your vehicle in your garage.

·         Park your vehicle in a well-lit area and close to building entrances.

·         Consider placing an aftermarket cage over your catalytic converter to deter theft.

·         Some experts recommend welding the converter to the car frame.

·         Engrave your vehicle’s VIN to the catalytic converter.

·         Adjust your car alarm to detect vibrations created by sawing.

·         When going through a public parking lot, be on the lookout for suspicious activity such as people working underneath a vehicle or someone who looks like they are acting like a lookout. Edmonds PD says that using a saw is not normal car maintenance behavior. Call 911 if you see suspicious activity.

·         At home, be sure your home surveillance cameras are working.

 

 

 

 

 

KING News:

https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/spike-in-catalytic-converter-thefts-reported-across-western-washington/281-39bfb3fa-fe64-4df6-8589-9d0df61a68a8

 

My Edmonds News:

https://myedmondsnews.com/2020/12/edmonds-police-report-increasing-number-of-catalytic-converter-thefts/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

My Northwest:

https://mynorthwest.com/2177123/prius-catalytic-converter-thieves-puget-sound-region/

 

Allstate Insurance:

https://www.allstate.com/blog/catalytic-converter-theft/

 

Edmunds.com:

https://www.edmunds.com/auto-insurance/in-under-two-minutes-catalytic-converter-theft.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAR PROWLS– Protecting Yourself

Recently, the North Snohomish county Property Crimes Unit posted a reminder to remove anything from view when you park your vehicle. The reason police recommend this to prevent car prowls is that car prowlers are opportunists.

Most people who steal look for easy, relatively low risk opportunities to take something. That means looking for targets where the theft is less likely to be observed. It also means the thief looks for items that he/she can take easily and quickly. That’s why there are so many security videos floating around social media of car prowlers testing car door handles for unlocked cars. If they can open the door and take an item, that is better than breaking a window. People will notice broken windows.

And, having something in view, such as a purse, tells a car prowler there is something worthwhile to steal in the vehicle. And they will open the door or break the glass to take it. If they do not see anything that could be worth stealing, they will go on to the next vehicle.





North Snohomish County Property Crimes Unit:

https://www.facebook.com/SnoCoSheriff/photos/a.318645198209560/3288408381233212/?type=3&eid=ARD1Otb0ZPJqJpDgqRQI-JzZc1Jmy2EJMWLmKzl21q66aumjL-a-UTRgLtxlEUzBtGPf75Tcr-OrClO_&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARAyIptZG6J0Lqi4ZsZ9A7NuRaITfpMK-xZUqyUofY81EzO_r2iGsvRVVM5GARY4dba-lkmjPF06qxIZbD7gKCnhFY2LmwNHDEvmWGjn_SgPysUoBn2VjM1fh0EtnsK6Qx6gQs5y9v99kvKr70xgXbk5bAGSuEnLqbPsY_PjCPPYfywbWV92tjqmGtR3yL5gPQE__xfxISZBtBLKIiPB5G8LNji2JxGRVsj3j8Srd8DlLKnp8ITFxf1phSZdNcYgLQ4SA8-GsgPYZzq3ErwA1pJotqt0jM_hIC3m5ejiYprNRh1xPSigCGQflSQbGa0cTUhGEnLt7hShSSDMtoszJ51WyQ&__tn__=EHH-R

CAR PROWLS- Car Prowlers Are After Your Registration Also

Car prowls seem to be a constant problem throughout Puget Sound. With nicer weather, more car prowls occur with the increased opportunities (more windows left open, more doors left unlocked) for prowlers to steal your stuff. Much of the time the prowlers are looking for anything that they can sell, like laptops, or use in identity theft, like your credit cards.

The King County Sheriff’s Office warns that your registration is also a target. This may seem strange, but your registration can be very useful. If a car prowler sees your car parked at a shopping center, at a movie or event, or at a park and ride, they can get your address and then they can easily find your home to burglarize it while you are gone. And if they take your garage remote, that can make it easier for them to gain entry quietly. Having the information from your car registration can also be used for identity theft schemes.

You may wonder what you should do. We are supposed to have the registration available with the car. That, for most of us means leaving the registration handy in the car in case we are pulled over by a police officer or deputy.

Now you do not have to have the registration in the car. It is now legal to have a copy of your registration in your cell phone and show a deputy the electronic copy of it. That way you can keep your registration in a safe place with your car title. Another solution is to blank out the address on the registration. If you leave the other information available, such as your name and VIN number, a deputy can verify that you own the car.

Also, sometimes car owners will keep the car title with the registration in the car. Never store your car title in the car! This is your proof of ownership and it is used to transfer ownership. If a thief obtains your title, they can forge your name transferring ownership. Keep your title in a safe place at home, such as your safe, or in a safety deposit box at your bank.





KCPQ 13:

https://q13fox.com/2019/05/16/car-break-ins-increase-why-they-may-be-looking-for-your-registration/?fbclid=IwAR3BnuPzv4n5bBiF1feTb_kvn9EY-pqcveDWOzJS3Qmbu0U60uk-mpOJOy0

DASH CAMS- Another Crime Prevention Tool?

Police have had dash cams in their patrol cars for several decades. Many buses have cameras to show conduct of passengers and to show incidents that buses might become involved in. We are used to seeing dash cam videos broadcast on the nightly news for all sorts of incidents.

For the past few years dash cams have been marketed to the general public. It may seem like overkill to have a camera on all the time in your car. It’s just another gadget that has gone too far. But people justify the purchase of a car dash cam.

·         The dash cam video can be used as first-hand evidence in case you are involved in a vehicle accident. Often all parties in a crash or incident will claim that they were not at fault. A dash cam can make it easier to make the case that you are not at fault. It can also show when you are at fault in a crash.

·         A dash cam can keep an eye on your car when you park it. This may be helpful in areas where there are many car prowls or car thefts.

Dash cams are being offered between $40 to $500 depending on features and the quality of video that can be produced. Here are some tips in case you think that you might be interested in a dash cam,

·         Like with home security cameras, be sure to buy a dash cam that can give enough detail that would be useful for your insurance company or police to use as evidence.

·         Most dash cams start recording when you start your engine. If you are interested in your dash cam to protect you from a car prowl, find a model that can record when the engine is off. Also, some dash cams have a lens that covers the road and another lens that can see what is going on inside your car.

·         Most dash cams can store the video internally. When the memory fills up, the camera overwrites the oldest video files. Dash cams that can save video to the cloud can be helpful in car prowl situations when a car prowler could take the camera or try to destroy it.

·         An alert feature may be helpful to alert you when a car prowl is in progress.

Cameras may have some deterrent effect, but the usefulness of cameras comes as providing evidence showing a crime in their field of view. The most effective way to prevent a car prowl is to not have anything showing inside your car or truck.



KARE TV Minneapolis, MN:

https://www.kare11.com/article/money/consumer/dealboss/everyone-should-be-driving-with-a-dash-cam-and-heres-why/608-9db7e481-a6d4-4d0f-9497-885bbd4943cc



Lifehacker:

https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2019/03/how-dash-cams-can-affect-your-insurance-claim/



WTVR TV6 Richmond Virginia:

https://wtvr.com/2019/04/12/thief-realizes-dash-cam-is-recording-him-during-chesterfield-car-break-in/



Digital Trends:

https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/best-dash-cams/

CAR PROWLS- Poll Shows Most People Lock Their Doors But...

Police seem to constantly remind drivers to lock their doors and to store anything in their car trunks to prevent car prowlers from breaking in and stealing valuables and the not so valuables. It also seems like car prowls are not getting any better.

PEMCO Insurance, in a recent survey, asked consumers about their attitudes towards car prowls and what actions they take to protect themselves from car prowls.

A little more than half, 55%, of people in Washington State are either extremely concern (9%), very concerned (12%), or somewhat concerned, (34%) about car prowls in their neighborhoods. That leaves 44% who are not very concerned (33%) or not at all concerned (11%).

PEMCO then asked what people do to prevent car prowls. 86% of Washingtonians said that they lock their vehicle doors. 73% said that they remove valuables or place them out of sight. 47% said that they use an electronic alarm system. This is good news in that it shows that most people follow the recommendations that police have been making to lock their doors and remove valuables when they park their vehicles.

Criminals are opportunists and car prowls keep happening. While 73% of people say they hide valuables, that means that 27% do not. While this may be an oversimplification, if you think of the parking lot at a shopping center with 27% of the vehicles with stuff visible in them, then you can conclude that that parking lot is good pickings for a car prowler. No wonder we keep hearing about car prowls.

If you are among the few who do not lock your vehicle or hide valuables, get in the habit of taking away opportunity for car prowlers by locking your vehicle and hiding valuables.

PEMCO Insurance:

https://pemco.com/poll/concern-about-car-prowlers

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/445/Vehicle-Prowl-PDF

CAR PROWLS- Continue to be a Problem in Winter

Car prowls remain a problem in Puget Sound all through the year but especially during the holiday season. Car prowlers take advantage of opportunities when they see anything that they can steal, or they detect that your vehicle is unlocked. Not securing your vehicle puts you at risk of losing your purse or wallet with the cash and/or bank cards that it carries. You can also lose any possessions that you do not secure including your cell phone, laptop or tablet computer, gym equipment, store purchases, etc. Anything in your vehicle can be used by a thief to sell or trade for drugs or for identity theft.

Car prowls can occur overnight at home if you park your car or truck in your driveway or at any time of the day when your vehicle is parked in a parking lot or garage while shopping or at work.

Car prowlers look for opportunities to enter your vehicle and to reduce their own risk of being caught. The Bellevue Police Department interviewed 3 car prowlers and found out that they:

·         Targeted wealthier neighborhoods that did not have “Neighborhood Watch” signs.

·         They checked every door handle for unlocked doors.

·         If they could get into a car, they would look for spare keys in consoles and glove boxes.

·         They avoided apartment complexes for fear of being seen.

·         They also avoided homes with open windows, security signs or surveillance cameras.

You can expect car prowlers in parking lots to check door handles for unlocked cars, especially if they see something in them. An unlocked car is not as messy for a car prowler, but, if needed, they can easily break a window to grab anything in the car.

Local police emphasize that the key actions that you can take to prevent car prowling is to remove anything from view in your vehicle and to lock it when you park it.

The Lynnwood Police Department recommends that when you park your vehicle that you go through the following simple routine:

·         Scan the inside of your car for anything that could be considered valuable.

·         Stow away everything in view in your car.

·         Secure your car by rolling up windows, closing sun roofs’ and locking all doors.

Remember,

·         Don’t leave anything in view in your vehicle!

·         Park in a well-lit area in a parking lot or at home!

·         LOCK YOUR VEHICLE!

KIRO TV:

http://www.kiro7.com/news/local/police-accused-car-thief-reveals-criminal-tactics/428203617

Lynnwood Today:

http://lynnwoodtoday.com/ask-lynnwood-cop-keeping-car-safe-prowlers/

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/445/Vehicle-Prowl-PDF

CRIME PREVENTION- 9:00pm Routine

Good crime prevention often involves habits. Getting into the habit of locking your doors when you leave your house. Having the habit of locking your car door when you leave it to go into a store or a restaurant.

Police departments throughout the country are trying a gentle reminder to encourage all of us to get into the habit of locking our car doors and taking out anything that we might have left in it at night before we go to bed. They send a nightly tweet at about 9pm on week days with the hashtag #9PMROUTINE to remind citizens to lock things up.

Car prowlers are a problem at night in residential areas. Being sure to take out anything in the car and locking it will encourage most car prowlers and car thieves to go someplace else for an easier target. #9PMROUTINE targets those crimes by encouraging all of us to take simple measures to protect our property.

Local police departments that are experimenting with this campaign include those from Snohomish, Renton, and Puyallup. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office in Florida claims a 30 percent decrease in car prowls in the past year because of this campaign in their county.

Modern crime prevention has long relied on cooperation between the public and local law enforcement agencies. Being sure to take everything out of your car and locking it will save bigger problems in the future from a car prowl or a car theft.

KOMO TV:

http://komonews.com/news/local/renton-police-turn-to-social-media-reminders-to-fight-property-crime

Fox 13, Tampa, Florida:

http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/9pmroutine-cuts-burglaries-in-pasco-co

TRAIL CAR PROWLS- Three Snohomish Car Prowlers Caught in Okanogan County

According to the Methow Valley News, three suspected car prowlers were apprehended in Mazama for a series of car prowls at trail heads in the area. The alleged car prowlers were from Everett, Sultan, and Lake Stevens. The car prowlers took cash, credit/debit cards, and computers.

Reports of car prowls at trail heads began in early June. In a cooperative effort between the U.S. Forest Service and the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office, investigators identified a red Pontiac which eventually lead to an arrest of the three suspects in Mazama. Investigators recovered other people’s property in the car including driver’s licenses, checkbooks, credit/debit cards, a laptop computer and clothing.

When we go into the mountains for a hike, we may not think of the trail as a place for a property crime like a car prowl.  But it can happen at a trail head just as easily as in the mall parking lot or overnight in front of your house. Trail head parking lots often do not have many people around, an ideal situation for car prowlers to take the opportunity to steal whatever is in your car without being seen. Sometimes, potential prowlers will hang out in the parking lot to see who has put away potential valuables. Then when no one is around, they can break a window to gain access to the vehicle and to the trunk.

When you go hiking, keep the following in mind:

·         Do not take anything that you do not need on your hike with you. Keep your valuables at home.

·         If you plan on putting anything in your trunk, put it there at home before you leave. Car prowlers could see what you have put in your trunk at the trail head.

·         Keep a lookout for any “suspicious” people who seem to be just hanging out, not readying themselves to go on a hike, or getting ready to leave the area. Write down a description and a license number of their vehicle if you safely can.

·         Take items such as your driver’s license, credit/debit cards, phone, etc. with you on the trail.

·         Do not leave anything in view in your vehicle when you leave for your hike, not even an empty duffle bag, backpack, or a bag with garbage. Car prowlers will them as an opportunity to steal.

·         Some people go to the extent of emptying their glove compartment and leaving its door open to show that there is nothing there. There have reports in the past, of car prowlers taking car registrations at movie theaters then going to the victim’s house to burglarize it. This scenario may be far fetched for a distant trail head, but car registrations can also be used in identity theft schemes.

·         Lock your car. While some people say that they leave their parked car unlocked, most deputies would not recommend leaving your car unlocked. An unlocked car is easier to steal, so if the suspect needs wheels, he/she could take your unlocked car. Also, car prowls are crimes of opportunity. A car prowler most likely is not going to break into a car if he/she does not think that there is something worthwhile stealing.   

·         If you do see anyone suspicious, or if your car is broken into, report it to the nearest ranger station.

Methow Valley News:

http://methowvalleynews.com/2018/07/06/three-arrested-in-connection-with-trailhead-vehicle-break-ins/

Washington Trails Association:

https://www.wta.org/news/signpost/avoiding-car-break-ins

https://www.wta.org/news/signpost/avoiding-trailhead-theft

HOME SECURITY- What to Look for in Security Cameras

Cameras are popular now to keep watch over your home. They may provide some deterrent affect especially if they are in view. But also, they can provide evidence that you can hand over to deputies if someone takes a package from your porch or burglarizes your home.

Cameras can be placed outside to cover your front porch, your front drive if you park your car there, and any other potential entry point to your house or out buildings. They can also be strategically placed inside your home where burglars might take your possessions.

Here are some things to think about when you go shopping for a camera system,

·         Resolution: The better the resolution the better odds that you and the Sheriff’s Office have in identifying suspects. A resolution of 780p should be adequate for identification, especially if you are on a budget. 1080p is better if you can afford it.

·         Field of view: The wider the field of view, how far from left to right the camera can see, the better to catch any suspicious activity.

·         Night vision: Most home burglaries occur during daylight hours. But, car prowls at home occur at night. If you are concerned about car prowls in your neighborhood, be sure that the cameras have good night vision capabilities.

·         App design: Most new camera systems allow you to view them when you are away with your tablet or smartphone. Try to check out the apps of the camera systems that you are considering for ease of use and capability.

·         Cloud storage: Most new systems store your images in the cloud. Security camera companies often offer a certain amount of cloud memory for free and more for a fee. The free storage may only be able to keep a few days of storage. Consider how much memory that you think you will need.

·         Security and privacy: Be sure that the information that is stored on the company’s servers are secure from hackers. Also, be sure that the data signal from your cameras to the company’s servers are also secure. This is important because most of the time what your cameras see are of your private life which you do not want strangers to see.

·         Internet/Wi-Fi connection: Most camera systems can connect to the internet through your Wi-Fi. Be sure to have a strong signal between the locations of your cameras and your router/modem.

For some suggestions on cameras, take a look at this link,

Business Insider:

http://www.businessinsider.com/best-security-camera-home/?utm_content=buffere38a1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer/#the-best-home-security-camera-overall-1

SHERIFF’S OFFICE- Car Prowls are Up

This morning the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning via Twitter and Facebook that car prowls are up in the county. While not providing specifics, it pointed out that car prowlers like to target cars parked at trailheads, parks, and beaches.

For some time, local police agencies have been encouraging drivers to not leave anything in view when they park their vehicles. The thinking is that car prowlers will break into a vehicle if they see anything inside and will not if there is nothing in view.

Car prowlers will take anything, but a bonus is when they can take a purse or wallet. They can spend the cash and conduct ID theft with credit cards and checks. If you do find that someone has stolen your credit cards or checkbook, you need to act to protect yourself from further theft. For guidance on what to do check out this link,

Identity theft Resource Center:

http://www.idtheftcenter.org/Identity-Theft/check-fraud-what-to-do-when-it-happens-to-you

Here is how you can prevent car prowls,

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/445

CAR PROWL PREVENTION- A Strategy

With summer coming, car prowls tend to rise. Recently, Teresa Wippel, from Lynnwood Today (http://lynnwoodtoday.com/), interviewed Lisa Wellington, a Crime Prevention Officer for the Lynnwood Police Department on how to prevent car prowls.
Wellington recommended that, if possible, you put away anything that could be construed as valuable. That can be your laptop, cell phone, glasses, purse/wallet, back pack, sports bag, etc. Some car prowlers at parking lots will watch for people putting away valuables in their trunk, console, or other hiding place. Then when the car owner leaves the car, the prowler will go right to the valuable item.
In addition, she recommended that when you park your car, you,

·       Scan the inside of your car for anything that could be considered valuable.

      ·         Stow away everything in view in your car.
      ·         Secure your car by rolling up windows, closing sun roofs’ and locking all doors.

This simple procedure will help you prevent a car prowl against your vehicle.

Lynnwood Today:

http://lynnwoodtoday.com/ask-lynnwood-cop-keeping-car-safe-prowlers/

CAR THEFTS- Don’t Become a Victim

Cars, trucks, SUV’s etc. can all be stolen from just about anywhere. In a shopping mall parking lot, at a park or play field, outside a convenience store or at a gas station or even at home.

From January through the end of March, there have been 16 car thefts in and around Woodinville. Last year there were 12 car thefts during the first three months.

Car thieves have many ways to take your vehicle. The easiest is when the driver keeps the car unlocked. Sometimes drivers will “hide” keys under a mat, in the console, in the glove compartment. Car thieves, like car prowlers, often check car doors for the ones that are unlocked. And they know where to look for the common hiding places for keys. So, when you park your car in a parking lot or parking garage, take your key with you, lock your car, roll up your windows.

The same is true when you park your car at home. If you park on the street or in your driveway, be sure to lock your car, take your keys and do not leave anything in view! You might think that you are safer parking in your garage. And in a sense, you are. Your vehicle is out of sight. And assuming all the doors are closed and locked, the casual car thief will not take the time to try to get to your vehicle.

However, if you keep your garage doors open while you are gardening in the back yard, that gives an opportunity to a thief to check out your car, your lawnmower, tool box, and anything else in your garage. And for that matter, if your garage is attached to your house, the thief can check out your home. Also, there have been cases where vehicles have been securely locked only to have someone open the garage door with a remote from a car parked outside.

The lesson is to take your garage remote with you when your park your car in your driveway or in front of your house. And remove your keys and your things from your vehicle, even if it is parked in your garage. That may seem like overdoing it. But as secure as your garage may be, its security is not perfect. Also, lock the door between your garage and your house. Some crime prevention professionals even recommend having a deadbolt lock on the door between the garage and house.

For more tips on protecting your vehicle, go to

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

http://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/429

Here is a video of a former car thief talking about how he stole cars and more prevention tips. It is older, but the advice is still relevant.

ABC News:

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/things-car-thieves/story?id=20938096

HOLIDAY SHOPPING- Car Prowl Prevention

Even though we are shopping more and more online, we still go to the mall for some of our Christmas shopping. Car prowls can be a major problem during the holiday season.

Here are some reminders on how to prevent a car prowl:

•           Park in a well-lit area of a parking lot where it can be seen by passersby. And avoid isolated areas.

•           Lock the doors and roll up the windows.

•           Remove anything from view. Car prowlers are looking for items that they can sell or your personal information for ID theft. Some crime prevention professionals recommend that, at the mall, when you bring gifts to your car from the store that you put them in your trunk and move your car to another parking space in another part of the parking lot. That way if you were observed, a car prowler won’t know where your car is parked.

And, this is the time of year when some people warm up their cars before heading to work in the morning. Especially with the cold temperatures like those we are experiencing now. If you start your car, do not leave it. Unattended cars, with their engines running, even in your driveway, are prime targets for car thieves.

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

http://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/445

LAKE STEVENS- Detectives Looking for Car Prowler

Snohomish County detectives are looking for Travis B. Engelen for ID theft and car prowling. A truck was broken into recently at a trailhead for the Centennial Trail near Lake Stevens. Detectives believe that Engelen used credit cards from that truck.

 The truck owner said that she left her purse under a coat thinking it would be safe while she took a walk on the trail. Police warn that keeping valuables in your vehicle only invites thieves to take them. They also warn that you should keep track of your purse and wallet while in a store. According to Sgt. James Maples of the North Snohomish County Property Crimes Unit, “Even in the shopping stores, they turn their back for one moment and keep their purses open rather than leaving it on their person and people are stealing it.”

Engelen has a history of stealing cars and has felony warrants from the Department of Corrections. Police consider him armed and dangerous.

If you know where police can find Engelen call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS which is offering a reward of up to $1,000.

For more details on how he stole the credit cards go to,

Q13:
http://q13fox.com/2016/11/17/i-will-never-do-it-again-theft-victim-warns-local-hikers-to-protect-valuables/

SNOHOMISH- Car Prowlers Stealing at Weddings

Car prowlers look everywhere for cars with purses, wallets, tablet computers. And according to recent press reports, even weddings.

The press reports have been talking about a series of car prowls at wedding venues in the Snohomish area. In at least one of the car prowls, the thieves use stolen credit cards at a Fred Meyer, Walmart and Safeway later that night.

A Sheriff’s Office spokesman has noted that they see more car break-ins when car prowlers think a driver will be away from their vehicle for a long period of time, such as at a mall, in a residential driveway overnight, or at an event such as a wedding or even a funeral. Burglars have also been known to break into homes when they know that the owners are at a funeral.

The spokesman reminded everyone to lock doors and roll up and lock windows. Also not to have anything showing in your vehicle when you park it. You can also help reduce the risk of becoming a victim to a car prowl or burglary by being careful of what you post on social media, such as when you would be attending a wedding, funeral, or going on vacation.

Here are two pictures of a vehicle and two males associated with the stolen credit cards, courtesy of KING-TV. If you know who these suspects are or have any information about car prowls in the Snohomish area, please call the Snohomish Sheriff’s Office’s Anonymous Tip Line at (425) 388-3845.

KING-TV:

http://www.king5.com/news/local/car-prowlers-targeting-wedding-venues-in-snohomish/337977050

The Herald:

http://www.heraldnet.com/news/thieves-hit-during-weddings-at-snohomish-venue/

KIRO-TV:

http://www.kiro7.com/news/local/snohomish-wedding-venues-targeted-by-thieves/458543346