CARMEL – Putnam County Sheriff Donald Smith is urging people to be sure to lock their vehicles and put everything out of sight. In the last two weeks, over 20 thefts of property have occurred, taken from parked vehicles that were left unlocked.
Property stolen has included cash, credit cards, GPS devices and other electronics, and other items.
The bulk of those thefts have occurred in the towns of Putnam Valley and Southwest. There were also two cars stolen in Southeast this month. Both were left unlocked. One of those vehicles was later recovered abandoned in Westchester County.
Smith said residents should lock their vehicles at all times, even in their own driveways. He also urged residents to arm their car alarms, if they are equipped with them, and to ensure that the security lighting in driveways and parking areas is turned on at night. And he urged people to be vigilant and not to hesitate to call the police if they see anything or anyone that look suspicious in their neighborhoods or in a parking lot.
“Thieves can be opportunistic, and an unlocked car with valuables visible inside offers an alluring target to thieves,” Smith said.
