WASHINGTON — Cold, winter days are a ripe time for car thieves who take vehicles that are left running unattended to warm up.
“It’s common sense to take your keys or take your chances,” said Nate Madden, of the Virginia State Police’s Help Eliminate Auto Theft program. “We like to recommend a three-layered approach to prevention.”
Remove keys
Always take keys out of a locked vehicle that has windows rolled up. Remove valet keys and spares that might be secured to the vehicle’s exterior.
“Professional thieves would know where to look for spare keys,” Madden said. “People also might not realize if there’s a valet key in the vehicle.”
Use an alarm
“We recommend that people use visible or audible deterrents,” Madden said. Activate the factory alarm or have one installed.
Install technology
A number of devices, at various prices, can immobilize or track a stolen car using GPS technology.
Statistics show that one in four cars stolen in Virginia has the keys inside, but experts believe the numbers are underreported.
“They may be embarrassed, or think that they might not be able to file a claim if they admit to having left their keys in the vehicle,” Madden said, adding that you can, in fact, file a claim under those circumstances.
Madden firmly added, “We’re just encouraging people — please don’t leave keys in their vehicles when [they’re] unattended.”
