Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: Feb 26, 2008

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Auto Burglaries increase

In the past week, Shreveport Police have noticed an increase in auto thefts citywide, especially in West Shreveport.

From Feb. 16 to Feb. 22, there were 34 auto thefts were reported in the city. That compares to 15 reported during the seven-day reporting period of Feb. 9 to 15.

It is unknown why the auto thefts are on the rise. However, in several of the cases, vehicle owners left their keys in the vehicles -- an easy target for opportunistic criminals.

In other cases, the victim's vehicles were taken by people known to them.

Citizens are urged to lock their vehicles and remove valuables from plain view. They should also be cautious about where they keep their keys, so acquaintances and maintenance workers who may visit their homes cannot see them. They may also want to park in visible, well-lit areas, and never leave house keys attached to car keys at service stations or parking facilities.

If anyone has information about any of these auto thefts, call Shreveport Police at 673-BLUE or

Information can be left with crimestoppers at 673-7373 or by logging onto the crimestoppers website at www.crimestoppersshreveportcaddo.com.

-spd-

View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews