Fort Collins See Huge Uptick In Vehicle Thefts In 2015
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Fort Collins police are warning about an alarming jump in vehicle thefts.
According to police, 200 vehicles have been stolen this year -- a nearly 40 percent spike from last year.
Police say many of the thefts could easily have been prevented.
"Fifty-five of them had keys in the car … they may have been in the glove box, console," Kate Kimble with Fort Collins police said. "I think a lot of time people believe that the key is hidden well or secure, but to a thief who has intentions of stealing a car, they're going to check in those obvious places first."
Another six of the vehicles were "puffers," or cars left running and unoccupied, which is illegal in Colorado. Another 29 vehicles were stolen by "hot-wiring."
A number of firearms were also taken from the stolen vehicles.
Fort Collins police recovered 133 of this year's 200 stolen vehicles.
