As cold weather creeps upon the Fox Valley, local police are warning residents to never leave their vehicles unattended and running, despite how tempting doing so might be.
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Aurora Police Department spokesman Dan Ferrelli said that it takes just a matter of seconds for a thief to steal a running vehicle, whether its doors are locked or unlocked. A window can easily be broken to give a thief access to the car and keys, Ferrelli said.
Last month, Dareon Dean, 26, of the 800 block of Sard Avenue, and Anthony Butler, 18, of the 2400 block of Marigold Court, were charged after they allegedly stole a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta that had been left running and unattended in a parking lot in the 200 block of Hill Avenue.
The vehicle was found safely parked in a nearby apartment complex lot, but that’s not always the case.
Earlier this month, an 18-year-old Aurora man allegedly stole a pickup truck from an Aurora parking lot after he saw the keys lying on the front seat, police said. He crashed the car into a tree before running away from police. He was arrested following a short chase.
Ferrelli said the majority of Aurora’s vehicle thefts occur when keys are left inside unsecured vehicles, like in the case of the stolen pickup.
“These vehicles are used for the same purposes as those left running unattended and present a very real public safety threat,” Ferrelli said. “Frequently, stolen cars and trucks are used in the commission of other crimes, including drive-by shootings or hit-and-run accidents.”
Ferrelli said 19 cars that were running and unattended have been stolen this year, and winter typically means that number will rise.
“Whether the vehicles are ultimately used in criminal acts or simply for joy-riding, one has to remember that many times, the thief is not concerned about driving safely or obeying traffic laws, which could very easily get an innocent person or people killed or injured,” Ferrelli said. “It’s also common for them to flee from the police once they are located in the stolen vehicles, which can end with the same tragic results.”
Police can issue citations if they come across unattended, running vehicles on public property.