License Plate Thefts Up In South Denver Neighborhoods

DENVER (CBS4) - Police are worried license plates stolen from cars in Denver are being used in crimes.

Thieves have swiped about three to four plates a week from cars in south Denver neighborhoods.

"What we are trying to do is educate the community that this is going on, be aware, check your plates periodically," police spokesman Sonny Jackson said, noting that the thieves may also be taking them as scrap metal or something more serious like putting them on their cars because they don't have legal plates.

Police are advising car owners to use anti-theft screws that require unique tools to remove the plates. Those can be purchased at hardware stores or car shops.

"It will be a little harder to take them off when you go to change them, but it is doable," Jackson said.

Police say if motorists notice their plates have been stolen, they should report immediately in case it's used in a crime.