Police step up patrols as thieves target holiday shoppers
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PUYALLUP, Wash. - With the holiday shopping season in full swing, it's prime time for crooks to pounce. That's why Puyallup police launched new patrols to make sure shoppers' cars don't become targets for thieves.
And as they try to prevent thefts, they spot some major mistakes by some shoppers that make it easier for thieves.
"This one's got a purse laying in the front seat here," says Sgt. Dan Pashon as he checks cars for any valuable items left inside while the owners are shopping.
It's part of the Puyallup Police Department's effort to prevent car prowls and make drivers more aware of the risk. In some cases, police are leaving notes on car windows to remind drivers not to leave valuables inside while shopping.
There's already been one attempted break-in at a local Best Buy parking lot, and officers hope to prevent more such incidents.
"I think folks get comfortable, and they don't realize while you're inside shopping, there's people outside shopping in the parking lot for themselves," says Sgt. Pashon.
During one Saturday patrol, officers found vehicles with money, purses, mail and GPS devices - all in plain sight.
But a lot of other shoppers are already cautious.
"I think about it all the time you bet. Try to be really cautious - really careful," says shopper Lili Myher.
Another shopper, Judy Boettcher, says, "If I go in and shop and have a lot of stuff ... I'll move my car."
Prowlers are peeking through windows of parked cars in the daytime and at night. They use tools to break in or smash windows.
"They're not worried about the cost of repairing your window - they just want what's inside and it doesn't take long to get it," says Sgt. Pashon.
And police say you should never leave your garage door opener on your car. It's one of the most common items people forget when they leave their vehicles, but if thieves get your registration and garage door opener your home can become an easy target.
"It's a shame - that's the times we're in right now. It's common sense - unfortunately you hear it too much," says another shopper.
In addition to stepping up patrols in parking lots, police are also setting up DUI checkpoints. That's happening now through New Year's Eve.
And as they try to prevent thefts, they spot some major mistakes by some shoppers that make it easier for thieves.
"This one's got a purse laying in the front seat here," says Sgt. Dan Pashon as he checks cars for any valuable items left inside while the owners are shopping.
It's part of the Puyallup Police Department's effort to prevent car prowls and make drivers more aware of the risk. In some cases, police are leaving notes on car windows to remind drivers not to leave valuables inside while shopping.
There's already been one attempted break-in at a local Best Buy parking lot, and officers hope to prevent more such incidents.
"I think folks get comfortable, and they don't realize while you're inside shopping, there's people outside shopping in the parking lot for themselves," says Sgt. Pashon.
During one Saturday patrol, officers found vehicles with money, purses, mail and GPS devices - all in plain sight.
But a lot of other shoppers are already cautious.
"I think about it all the time you bet. Try to be really cautious - really careful," says shopper Lili Myher.
Another shopper, Judy Boettcher, says, "If I go in and shop and have a lot of stuff ... I'll move my car."
Prowlers are peeking through windows of parked cars in the daytime and at night. They use tools to break in or smash windows.
"They're not worried about the cost of repairing your window - they just want what's inside and it doesn't take long to get it," says Sgt. Pashon.
And police say you should never leave your garage door opener on your car. It's one of the most common items people forget when they leave their vehicles, but if thieves get your registration and garage door opener your home can become an easy target.
"It's a shame - that's the times we're in right now. It's common sense - unfortunately you hear it too much," says another shopper.
In addition to stepping up patrols in parking lots, police are also setting up DUI checkpoints. That's happening now through New Year's Eve.
Simple solution, i drive a piece of crap, leave the doors unlocked incase anybody wants to take a look around, they do not have to break my windown, and make sure i leave nothing of value in the car. Have not had a problem in 26 years of tacoma;)
Where I go, my purse follows - my purse that also has my insurance and registration in it.
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Simple as.
I noticed a man, I'm not sure if he was police or a security guard, walking around the parking lot of Home Depot. People should keep their valuables out of sight or even better, on them (like your purse, ladies), but it's nice to know stores and the police are trying to step up and help keep the low-life scumbags from breaking into our cars.
Aren't the police drawing attention to those vehicles with valuables left in them by leaving a note on the car? It's like saying, "Hey, Crooks, over here! This dummy left something for ya!"
Years ago I had my car broken in to for 5$ in change in a cup holder, nothing else. I am more careful now, but still sometimes it's not avoidable to have valuables in the car. Video surveillance in parking lots helps. I'd like an octopus solution that sprays ink into to the face of anyone who breaks my car window.Â
@Komo Dragon I once had my car window busted for some loose change and they attempted to take the built-in stock speakers that weren't worth a crap. Cost me more to replace the window than what it was worth so now I just leave my car doors unlocked. There is never anything left in the car for thieves to take but I'd rather them figure that out without busting my window.
If you need to put valuables in your trunk do so away from prying eyes. My ex put her purse in the trunk and apparently the scum bags were watching. She came back to her car to find that they had popped the door and pulled down the back seat to get into the trunk. Scum bags.
 @ned:Â
Or, another way to do this is what I used to do. I would pull over somewhere on my way (like at a gas station), put the valuables in the trunk there, then proceed on to my destination. Never had anybody take anything.
 @LocalLady  @ned: true. If you put your purse in the trunk "at" the mall it defeats the purpose. They're not supposed to know it's inside.
That could be one of the reasons why she's your ex - huh?
Don't leave valuables out in plain sight in your cars idiots, duh
The scumbags steal from vehicles on holidays because they can get fast money, so why work?
Besides, they get free money from the state (welfare), and use the money for their drugs. Poor drug addicts!
It seems to me that if police are leaving notes on cars to remember to remove valuables, that thieves would look for such notes so they know what cars to attempt to get in to. It's like a flag that says "PURSE IN SEAT OVER HERE!"
You don't have to be cautious, you just need to use your brain and use some common sense. It just amazes me how many people don't do that! Altho the garage door opener and registration is very good advice!
Really folks. Â I am astounded by the absolute stupidity of women. Â It's like weekly there is a report of a purse stolen from the front seat of a car. Â Or computers, envelopes with cash, cameras, etc. Â No, it's not fair that you have to consider scumbag thieves when you live your life, but don't make it easy for them. Â How hard it is to bring your stupid purse in with you when you go into a business? Â There are spotters that sit in parking lots and watch to see if a woman goes in without her purse. Â I've also removed my registration from my glove box. I keep it in my purse. That's another tactic thieves use, they target your car and use the mail or registrations to see where you live and rob your house while you're out. Â Â Oh, and let's not forget the inbreds in Tacoma that prey on women in broad daylight at the mall!! They punch you in the side of your head to knock you unconscious, so they can steal your purse and purchases as you arrive or leave the mall. Â Yep.. another holiday in the Puget Stench.Â
 @DT You have a female avatar, but you're making a blanket generalization? Unless...
 @dt:Â
I quir carrying a purse in 2009, 2h3n I lost my leg. It was a hassel when I was in a wheelchair - I just started carrying everything in my pockets (phone, money & ID), and the habit stuck. Makes it easy to not over spend when I am not carrying a checkbook all the time!
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But you are not being fair - it is not just women who are stupid, Men get ripped off for the same reasons - phones, laptops, stereos, etc left out in the open in their cars (or "but I put it under the seat, I did not think they would look there...).
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Best rule - if you can't afford to lose it, don't leave it.
 @DT It's not just women.. men leave crap in their cars all the time. and not ALL women are stupid, as your post implies. (Maybe you meant stupidity of SOME women.) I don't leave anything in my car, even if it's an empty bag.
@lovestolearn I bet you the chances of a man leaving his wallet behind in a car is far less than a woman leaving her purse.
 @SilverGryphon  @lovestolearnSOME men still leave other valuables just like SOME women do. It doesn't have to be a purse or a wallet. If you're just out to try to make women look bad, you're appearing more childish than anything. You are coming across as "Men are better than women, neener neener neener" I think people in GENERAL leave things in cars. I've seen too many people get ripped off and I learn from their mistakes.
@DT I actually don't use a purse, especially when I go shopping. I carry a small wallet, which I hide in the car. When I go in the stores, I take cash, id, credit card - goes in an inside pocket. My phone goes in an inside pocket as well. It's way too easy to be mugged if you are carrying a purse.
@DT...yep...vigilance works and so does common sense. I went so far as to install a console vault in my rig, which is where I keep my registration now. It's also a very handy place to store my "bodyguard" when going into establishments where CC is unlawful. Lets' face, it' s FULL-ON war against these zombies (as far as I'm concerned)...It's sad that most of us humans, through our own STUPIDITY AND NEGLEGENCE, make it so easy for the zombies to take whatever they want, whenever they want. I REFUSE to become a victim. If people would just stop being so stupid and remove their heads from the up and locked position, what a wonderful world it would be!!!Â
This just in......."Shoppers step up to target Holiday Thieves........literally"Â :)
Is this really a law enforcement priority? Looking after people who refuse to look after themselves?
hoo boy. thats great. not much real crime in the area it would seem.
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protect the shoppers! it must be horrifyingly scary to shop there.
I don't mean to sound rude but if your stupid enough to leave your purse on the front seat, your asking for your car to be broke into.Â
Another plus for online shopping.
 @Darn it! Well almost. Dont' forget that the lazy scumbags also target home deliveries. They follow delivery trucks and steal your package off your porch.  If these idiots spent a fraction of the effort on actually having a real job or business, they might actually have a decent life, instead of getting shot or stabbed by one of their scumbag associates.  But I guess you don't have to be smart to be a criminal.Â
 @DT I've actually had that happen to me twice. I try to get my online shopping done early hoping the idiots haven't started their holiday shopping. Also, we know who was doing the lifting and they are now gone.
I heard about another way thieves can get into your locked car, it has to do with the little car alarms on your key rings, these alarm devices, whenever you push them to lock your car as you are walking away, travel threw the air waves, there are devices thieves have to pick up these codes while sitting in the parking lot watching who uses these alarms (like wireless internet signals) and after you are safely inside the store, they use your code to un-lock your car, and go threw it, so, it would be better to lock your car manually as you get out, or stand right next to your car as you activate the alarm so no codes fly threw the air.
I don't know this for a fact, but I tend to believe it is very possible, just like those skimmers on ATM's, hard to stay ahead of the crooks, that seems to be a crooks full time job, finding ways to rip people off.