Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Crime Pattern ID: Theft from Cars

Pattern: Theft from Cars

Victims: owners of parked cars

Perpetrators: often drug addicts needing quick cash, sometimes juveniles

Locations: driveways, parking lots, parks, schools, churches, sporting events. concerts, shopping malls/plazas, etc; may target places repeatedly

Times: any time of day, increases in weather when suspects

Entry/Approach Methods: suspects often approach and flee on foot although other transportation cannot be ruled out

Tools: prying tools, spark plugs to break window, rocks, bricks

Vehicles/Transportation Routes: 

Stolen Goods: purse, wallet, laptop, change, coins, gps, satellite radio, stereo, glove compartment contents (any sort of valuables in vehicle), musical instrument, sporting equipment, gifts

Method: usually a smash and grab - smash a car window and grab any valuables, may pry door or open lock, flees with portable items, may open trunk as well

Motive: quick cash - items that can be sold easily or traded for drugs

Query terms: glove compartment, gps, car stereo, cut wires, broke window, rock, brick, spark plug, change (coins), broke, lock, lock, smash

Suggestions: know your 6% who commit 60% of the crimes of this type in your area - make a portfolio of these criminals and share with your agency officers and nearby jurisdictions, help community in target hardening efforts (via flyers or media or sign postings); surveillance; theft rates should be computed per parking space or vehicle

Resources:


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