Cheektowaga, N.Y. (WBEN) - Buffalo and Western New York is buzzing about an alarming rash of car break-ins and thefts across the area. Police are taking note and offering advice and we're taking a look at one town in particular, and how police are handling it.
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Cheektowaga Police tell WBEN the trend in the expansive suburban town is same as around the country. "Just for stolen vehicles, let's just say Kias, for instance, and this time time period as far as January to June of 2022. We were seeing like two stolen Kias at this point this year. Between January and June, we're at 52 already," says Capt. Brian Coons.
Coons says there's an increase in break-ins as well. "It used to be what we call car poppings, where people just go by and see if the cars around locked. Now if car owners are leaving property inside the car, they're actually breaking windows," says Coons.
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Coons says the cars stolen are usually just for joy rides or using them for other crimes, like shoplifting at Walden Galleria. "As far as tracking them down, we have our methods. We're trying to process the cars as we recover them, but that takes time and not a lot of success with it," notes Coons.
Coons says you can take steps to protect yourself from being a victim. "If you have lighting on your driveway, make sure that that is operable. Do not keep items that are visible inside your vehicle. Make sure that your doors are locked alarms are on," advises Coons. Just like the 9pm routine popular on social media, make sure the vehicles are locked, your security lights are on, your porch lights are on and all your interior doors are locked for your garage in your house.