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The night of May 3 a thief or thieves
broke into several unlocked vehicles
along Marshall Farm Road and nearby
streets in Heritage. The losses in goods
and cash were over $4,000.
As a result, the Wake Forest
Police Department is once again warning
residents throughout the town that they
should lock their vehicles when they are
parked at home or away.
Most vehicle break-ins are
by amateurs who take advantage of
drivers’ carelessness by leaving their
vehicles unlocked with valuables in
plain sight, police say.
The police department offers
these tips to prevent vehicle break-ins.
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Park in open, well-lighted, and
populated areas near your
destination. Avoid parking near
trucks, vans, dumpsters, and other
objects that obstruct visibility and
provide hiding places.
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Avoid parking near strangers
loitering or sitting in vehicles.
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Park in lots or garages where you
don’t have to leave your keys.
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If you have a garage – use it! Then
lock the vehicle AND the garage.
-
If possible, don’t leave your
vehicle on the street, in an alley,
or on your driveway. If you have to
park on a street, avoid dark or
isolated areas.
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Turn off your engine, roll up all
windows, lock all doors, and take
your keys with you even if you are
making a quick stop at a store or
gas station, or even in your
driveway.
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Don’t leave spare keys inside your
vehicle. An experienced thief knows
all the hiding places. Store spare
keys in your wallet.
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Don’t leave cell phones, wallets,
purses, or anything of value in
vehicles. If you prefer not to take
such items with you, lock them in
your trunk!
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Don’t leave your vehicle in an
unattended public lot for an
extended period of time.
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Install an alarm system that will
sound when someone attempts to break
in, move, tilt, or start your
vehicle. Always activate the system
when leaving the vehicle.
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Check your vehicle if you hear the
alarm sound, but don’t try to stop a
person attempting to break in. Get a
good description of the person and
call the police.
When shopping for a new
vehicle, look for some key features,
including:
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Interior hood and trunk lock
releases. Install a secondary hood
lock if your car does not have one.
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A factory immobilizer – a computer
chip in the key.
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A locking steering wheel.
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Other anti-theft devices, such as an
alarm or GPS tracking system.
The Wake Forest Police
Department encourages citizens to report
suspicious behavior or activity by
calling 554-9111. |
