DALLAS (1080 KRLD)- With temperatures in North Texas expected to remain below freezing through Friday afternoon, Dallas Police are warning against starting a car and then going inside while it warms up. During a cold period in January, the Dallas Police Department reported 14 cases of auto theft where the owner had left the car running.
"The important message is that in that short time frame, the minute or two it's going to take to go inside and get your coffee, the thieves can steal your vehicle," says Lt. Julio Gonzalez.
Gonzalez says Dallas Police frequently see a spike in calls during cold weather where people have started their car, gone back inside and then find the car stolen when they return.
"This is a very preventable crime," he says. "It's an easy target for thieves."
Gonzalez says many calls are at homes where thieves may park in a neighborhood and watch for people who start their car and go back inside their house. In other cases, though, he says people will leave cars running when they stop at a convenience store.
"It is something we see frequently," he says. "Specifically with the cold weather, we see folks warming up their vehicles and leaving them unattended."
In Texas, it is illegal to leave a running car unattended in public areas. People can be fined up to $500. Dallas and many cities in the state also forbid unattended running cars on private property.
"We want to prevent auto theft when we can," Gonzalez says. "It's just going to take a few more seconds to turn off your vehicle and lock your doors, but it is completely worth those extra seconds to prevent auto theft."
In both the state and local ordinance, exceptions exist for cars with remote starting capabilities where the engine will not fully engage.
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