Crime prevention tips: auto break-ins

DIVISION OF POLICE 4095 Center Rd., Brunswick OH 44212 330-225-9111

REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IMMEDIATELY!! Dial 330-225-9111 to report suspicious activity in your neighborhood. If there is an immediate threat to life or property, dial 9-1-1.

Stay calm and tell the dispatcher:

• where the crime is occuring
• what is happening
• weapons involved
• who is involved
• when it happened

Try to get a good look at the persons and vehicles involved as safely as possible. Look for:

• vehicle plate numbers, color, make and model
• suspect clothing descriptions
• direction of travel

Stay on the line, if it is safe to do so, to give the dispatcher updates.

Here are some tips on how to prevent curb auto break-ins:

• Lock your car doors and close your windows. Thieves target unlocked vehicles.
  
  
• Do not leave valuables in your car, even if the car is locked. Thieves love to "window shop." Secure GPS units, laptop computers, cell phones, purses, wallets, after market electronic equipment, loose change, etc. in the trunk or remove them from the vehicle altogether.
  
  
• Do not leave keys in the ignition or anywhere inside the vehicle.
  
  
• If possible, park your car in your garage with the garage door closed and locked.
  
  

If there are signs of an auto break-in:

• Call 330-225-9111 to report the theft.
  
  
• Do not touch anything or clean anything up. Latent fingerprints obtained on surfaces, doors or windows may help officers discover the identity of the thief.

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