Duluth Police Offer Tips to Reduce Vehicle Thefts

15 vehicles were stolen in Duluth for the month of January

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is offering some suggestions to help reduce vehicle theft incidents.

The most important thing one can do to prevent auto theft is to maintain control of keys and key fobs to vehicles. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports that one of every eight vehicles stolen in 2015 had the key or fob left inside the vehicle.

This year during the month of January, 15 motor vehicles were reported stolen in Duluth. Of those 15, 10 were stolen with keys and four had been left running at the time they were stolen.

To help stop thieves from taking a vehicle, the DPD offers the following guidelines:

• Always maintain control of your vehicle keys and fobs. Do not leave keys in the vehicle, even in hiding spots.
• In your home, store keys/fobs in secure locations, not next to the door on a hook or in a bowl
• Do not leave a running vehicle unattended
• Keep vehicle locked with windows up, even if parked in the garage
• Avoid parking in remote locations, park vehicles in well-lit areas
• Avoid keeping valuables in an unattended vehicle. If valuables must be kept in the vehicle, make sure they are out of sight and in a locked compartment, if possible