Date: Fri 08-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

police-auto-thefts-Lysaght

Full Text:

Police Launch Crackdown On Thefts From Autos

Police Chief James E. Lysaght, Jr, said this week the police department's

patrol division will begin a program to prevent thefts from unattended motor

vehicles.

Chief Lysaght urges that residents lock their cars, trucks, sport utility

vehicles and minivans while parked in public places and also while parked at

home as a theft deterrent.

"During the past year, there have been a number of thefts from motor vehicles

within the town," the police chief said. "Police have made arrests in some

cases while developing suspects in others, along with the recovery of stolen

property."

"Valuables such as laptop computers, cell phones, portable electronic items

and other personal items of value should not be left in vehicles as they are

the primary targets for thieves," he said.

The theft prevention program will involve police using reports of suspicious

activities and suspicious vehicles to set up surveillance operations and to

effectively concentrate their anti-theft law enforcement efforts, according to

the chief. Work will focus on the nighttime hours when most illegal vehicle

entries occur, he said.

Chief Lysaght asks residents to report to police any suspicious activity they

witness in connection with thefts from vehicles. Observers are asked to note

information including the type and color of the vehicle seen being used by

suspicious persons, as well as its marker plate number, he said.