A string of burglarized vehicles reported in Lincolnwood last week has prompted police to issue a safety alert to remind residents to lock their vehicles.
Six vehicles parked in residential driveways in various parts of town were burglarized overnight Nov. 1, according to Lincolnwood police spokesman Lt. Randall Rathmell.
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Rathmell said all of the burglaries followed the same pattern in that the vehicles had been left unlocked by their owners and were unoccupied. No signs of force were observed on any of the vehicles.
The burglaries occurred in the following locations: the 6700 block of North Keating Avenue, the 4600 block of West Fitch Avenue, the 6500 block of North Knox Avenue, the 6800 block of North Kenton Avenue, the 6900 block of North Kolmar Avenue and the 6900 block of North Kilbourn Avenue.
Stolen property included a laptop computer, two pairs of sunglasses, loose change and a cell phone.
“These vehicle burglaries are crimes of opportunity which can be deterred and prevented through reasonable measures,” Rathmell said. “Unlocked and unoccupied parked vehicles have been targeted frequently, and residents should never leave personal or valuable items in plain view.”
In a community alert issued Friday notifying residents about the burglaries, police said residents should always keep their car doors locked with the windows rolled up when parking overnight, even on their own driveway.
There were other vehicle-related incidents last month, police report.
Police said eight vehicles were broken into during the weekend of Oct. 15-16. A woman sitting in her vehicle on the 4100 block of Estes Avenue was also carjacked at 2 a.m. Oct. 16. Three male suspects described by police as juveniles approached her as she sat in her car and one of them pulled out a handgun and demanded her phone and told her to get out of the car, police said.
She was unharmed but the carjackers took off in her vehicle.
Residents should call police if they see any suspicious activity.
Natalie Hayes is a freelancer.