Evanston police continue to receive reports of vehicle thefts, in most cases stolen while left unattended or with the keys inside.
According to police, in more recent incidents, two vehicles were reported stolen in the last three days, as of Monday.
Following a spike in motor vehicle thefts, Evanston police is advising drivers not to leave their vehicles running and unattended, as they could be an easy target for thieves.
“It appears that a lot of this is a crime of opportunity,” said police Commander Ryan Glew. “That is a trend that is over the entire Chicagoland area.”
He said motor vehicle thefts are up in Chicago and the suburbs and that the thieves are largely using the stolen vehicle in other crimes or as free transportation. There were 13 reported motor vehicle thefts in Evanston this January compared with eight in January 2021, said Glew.
And according to statistics from Chicago police, between Jan. 17 and Jan. 23 of 2022 there were 304 motor vehicle thefts compared with 213 during the same time period last year.
The thefts have continued into February, with a 1999 Toyota reported stolen Feb. 10 from the 1700 block of Dodge Avenue after police say it was left running.
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Other thefts reportedly took place Jan. 30 when a 2019 Audi was stolen from the 3400 block of Park Place, reports show. In addition, a 2020 Jeep was reported stolen from the 3200 block of Harrison Street on Jan. 24, a 2019 Honda was reportedly taken from the 1000 block of Hinman Avenue on Jan. 14, a 2014 Chevrolet stolen from the 100 block of Chicago Avenue on Jan. 11, a 2011 Toyota stolen from the 3200 block of Thayer Avenue on Jan. 18, a 2020 Honda stolen from the 2600 block of Harrison Street on Jan. 19, a 2019 Honda stolen from the 1000 block of Hinman Avenue on Jan. 14 and a 2020 Acura stolen from the 500 block of Greenleaf Street on Jan. 19, police reports show.
“It doesn’t appear that a lot of these vehicle are being taken to a tradition chop shop,” Glew said. “They are being taken and either used as transportation or used potentially in other crimes. The trend has been that these vehicles are used in burglaries, catalytic converter thefts and robberies.”
It was unclear if the stolen vehicles reported were all left running unattended or had the keys inside.
Still, Glew said motorists can help deter thieves by taking what law enforcement considers common sense steps, including not leaving their vehicle running and unlocked as they dash into coffee shops, grocery stores, schools or any number of other places.
“Lock your car,” he said.
He also cautioned about leaving keys, including extra sets, inside vehicles.
“If you leave your vehicle unlocked and you have a spare key fob somewhere in the vehicle, all the thief has to do is get in, push the ignition button and they’re off and rolling,” Glew said. “Same with spare keys. Whenever possible, you want your car in a well-lit area. You even want to practice these measures if your vehicle is in your garage. Lock it.”
And some thieves are also using technology to steal high end vehicles, including “cloned key fobs,” Glew said.
“We would encourage people to talk to their [vehicle] dealer and engage their dealer directly and see what anti-theft measures can be used for that car specifically,” he said.
Despite the difficulty police it can be in catching vehicle, there have been some arrests, reports show.
In a Jan. 13 arrest, two Evanston men were charged with possession of a stolen vehicle. Another 25-year-old man was faced similar charges in December.
“It can just be they’re trying as many car doors as possible, seeing what’s unlocked and try starting the vehicle,” Glew said of vehicle thieves. “The odds are going to be in their favor that they’re going to find a vehicle to take.”
Brian L. Cox is a freelancer.