Prevent Vehicle Break-Ins

The Pinal County Sheriff Office has provided these helpful tips to keep your vehicle and belongings safe:

Lock Your Doors: This seems obvious but worth repeating. According to some law enforcement agencies, up to a quarter of vehicle thefts are from unlocked cars. Even if you're running into the store for a coffee, that's too long to leave your vehicle's contents open for the taking. Simply locking the doors will deter those who might just be waiting around for an easy target.

Be Tidy: Although you may deem something as a worthless personal item, even an empty shopping bag, could be seen by others as containing valuables. If you have an SUV, that leaves your cargo area visible, consider getting a cover. Most can be fitted with inexpensive retractable covers to help keep shopping bags or other gear out of sight.

Hide Everything From View: Don't tempt thieves, hide your electronics and accessories well out of sight or better yet, bring them with you or lock them up in a portable car safe. The evidence alone might be enough to pique the interest of thieves, so hide that too, including power plugs, telltale iPod adapters, or navigation system windshield suction-cup mounts, and even put the cigarette lighter back in place.

Completely Close Windows and Sunroofs: No, it's not just because thieves might reach in through the gap and open your locks with a coat hanger. Open windows will disable the pressure sensor in some car alarms, leaving the vehicle more vulnerable to a break-in and potentially giving thieves more time before the alarm sounds.

Get An Alarm: If you don't have an alarm, get one. The noise alone may be enough to scare away a thief and stop the break-in progress. Something to consider, many less-expensive new cars have remote entry but not a true alarm.

Park For Visibility: Park in a busy, well-lit area, and avoid concealment from larger vehicles, fences, or foliage. Except for the most brazen thieves, the greater the chances are that someone might see a crime in progress, the lower the chances are that the potential thief will attempt it.

If you are a victim of a vehicle break in or any other crime, please call 520-866-5111 to file a report with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office. If you see something suspicious or a crime taking place, call 9-1-1 immediately.

REMEMBER:

It takes 30 seconds for a thief to break into your car & steal valuables.

It takes 20 seconds for you to hide your valuables in your trunk.

It takes 1 second for you to lock your car