After a string of crimes this week involving stolen vehicles, the Monroe County Association of Chiefs of Police has put out a countywide warning: vehicle thefts are on the rise.
Gates Police Chief James VanBrederode says there are three types of crimes becoming most prevalent:
- groups of mainly teenagers searching through unlocked cars, finding the keys and stealing the vehicles.
- carjackings, in which drivers are forced out of their cars by force or by threat of weapons.
- thieves entering homes by open doors or windows, finding car keys in the kitchen and stealing the vehicle
Police say the thieves are becoming more brazen, with teens who stole a pickup truck in Henrietta on Monday trying to rob a Gates woman at knifepoint the next day. They were caught after crashing their stolen truck on 490.
Police say if you are confronted, give up the car. You can replace it, but not yourself. They advise keeping outside doors and windows locked and lights on at night. Keep the cars locked, and don’t leave spare keys inside them. Anything unusual you see should be immediately reported to 911.