During holidays, vehicle burglaries usually increase and sadly, 2020 is no different. We urge everyone to please lock your vehicle when you leave it unattended in parking lots while shopping and at night while home. Criminals are taking advantage of vehicles being unlocked and going in and taking anything of value from the vehicle.

We have seen reports of firearms, purses, wallets, cell phones, Christmas presents, and other items of value being taken from an unlocked vehicle. Our Detectives have approx. twenty unsolved vehicle burglaries for this year alone, some with guns being stolen from the vehicle.

Please report a vehicle burglary even if nothing has been taken. Officers have been told after the fact since nothing was taken, they didn’t want to bother us. We would like to know so we can better concentrate our patrols in the areas of recent burglaries and there could be fingerprint or DNA evidence to help with other cases in the area.

Common things we see when a vehicle burglary is reported are the vehicle was left unlocked, valuable items were visible in the window and the vehicle is parked in a dark area. When guns are stolen, serial numbers are commonly unknown to the owner.

Tips to help deter these criminals are:

1. Locking your vehicle since they are usually thieves of

convenience.

2. Take all valuable items out of the vehicle or hide them from

being seen through the window.

3. Use dusk to dawn or motion activated lighting at night.

4. If you have a home surveillance system, place a camera with a

clear view of your parking area.

5. Call us (462-8911) or 911 if you see someone suspicious in your

neighborhood or a parking lot, especially in the late hours.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and blessed holiday season,

Chief Craig Richard

This article originally appeared on Leesville Daily Leader: DPD issues warning about vehicle burglaries