'LOCK YOUR VEHICLE – no matter where you park it! Take your keys, guns and computers out of your vehicle, no matter where you park it.'
WESTLAKE, Ohio — Westlake police are warning people to keep their car doors locked following a recent string of thefts.
Video posted Wednesday on the department's Facebook page shows a person trying to get into one homeowner's vehicles before running away. Officials say the resident locked their cars and took their keys out, but unfortunately, others in the same neighborhood have left their keys inside, leading to at least three auto thefts.
"Thieves continue to target communities with easy victims for vehicle thefts," authorities wrote. "Several suburbs had vehicles missing in the same manner this weekend."
Per police, officers attempted to chase the suspects before the pursuit was called off for safety reasons. However, some of the cars were involved in other chases that ended in crashes, while one has been connected to an alleged shooting.
Great job by this homeowner who locked their vehicles and presumably took the keys out of the cars! This is what happens – nothing. Unfortunately, 3 others in this neighborhood accidentally left keys in their unlocked cars. Their vehicles were stolen. Thieves continue to target communities with easy victims for vehicle thefts. Several suburbs had vehicles missing in the same manner this weekend. Night Shift WPD officers initiated a vehicle pursuit with these suspects before the homeowners even knew the cars were gone. (Called off for safety purposes) The vehicles stolen from Westlake were involved in several regional police chases which resulted in crashes of police and civilian vehicles. Shooting incidents are tied to 1 of the stolen Westlake vehicles. Using new technology such as license plate readers and extra patrols WPD continues to target those who come to the community to take advantage of unlocked vehicles. Detectives continue to track the missing vehicles and recover them for processing no matter in what Cleveland neighborhood they are located. Evidence collected after recovery has led to numerous indictments of criminals involved in these thefts. Remember to call WPD or your local PD when you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood…when it is happening! LOCK YOUR VEHICLE – no matter where you park it! Take your keys, guns and computers out of your vehicle, no matter where you park it. #9PMRoutine
Posted by City of Westlake Ohio Police Department on Tuesday, June 25, 2024
"Using new technology such as license plate readers and extra patrols WPD continues to target those who come to the community to take advantage of unlocked vehicles," the department said. "Detectives continue to track the missing vehicles and recover them for processing no matter in what Cleveland neighborhood they are located."
For now, residents are being reminded not to make themselves easy victims.
"Remember to call WPD or your local PD when you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood…when it is happening!" the statement continued. "LOCK YOUR VEHICLE – no matter where you park it! Take your keys, guns and computers out of your vehicle, no matter where you park it."
Not far from Westlake, Strongsville police are also lamenting residents leaving their keys in their cars, which has led to three additional vehicle thefts in that city.
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