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Mason City police confirm spike in auto thefts

Mason City Police Department

MASON CITY – NIT has received word that auto thefts are on the rise in the city over the last few weeks.

Checking with the Mason City Police Department, officer Mike McKelvey has confirmed that November was particularly busy with auto theft reports.

“So far, we have 29 reported auto thefts for 2012,” McKelvey stated. “We had 9 in November 2012. Typically we average 1-2 per month.”

McKelvey said one basic mistake is the reason many of these cars are stolen.

“Most auto thefts are a crime of opportunity. In the majority of these cases, the keys to the vehicle were left in the unlocked car,” McKelvey said. “Other cases involve some vehicles lent or borrowed to people who did not return. I believe most of the November auto thefts could have been prevented if the owners / possessors would have removed the keys from the vehicle.”

McKelvey also offered some more good advice for protecting vehicles from being stolen.

“This (theft of vehicles) occurs in parking lots, city streets, driveways, and in garages / car ports. Our preference would be that people do not leave their keys in their cars and do not leave them in a key bowl or on a visible key rack inside their home near their back door or window. Simple target-hardening concepts could reduce a lot of the victimization as far as car thefts are concerned. I cannot remember the last time we had actual hot-wire or a punched ignition.”

Finally, McKelvey said this time of year (colder weather) may invite criminals or give them an opportunity to take your car.

“Our thefts will usually increase a little when people start warming up their unattended cars with the doors unlocked. The unseasonably warm weather and lack of snow / ice may delay this usual increase that is due to winter weather.”

Clear Lake Police Chief Greg Peterson said Friday that his department had “not noticed any increase this year. We did have a semi trailer stolen from Serta with 180 mattresses inside a couple weeks ago.”  Peterson said the mattresses have not been recovered.

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