The Las Cruces Police Department is asking for help in preventing auto burglaries.
The majority of auto burglaries committed in Las Cruces are considered crimes of opportunity and occur when valuables are left in plain sight, and vehicles parked unattended and unlocked. Most auto burglary perpetrators simply cruise neighborhoods and large parking lots checking for unlocked vehicles or peering through windows for items of value.
Once inside a vehicle, a perpetrator needs only seconds to rummage through and steal valuables.
Police are particularly concerned this time of year with thousands of students returning to classes at New Mexico State University.
The Las Cruces Police Department recommends:
- Remove all valuables from vehicle.
- Keep items of intrigue (backpacks, luggage, packages, shopping bags, cell phone chargers, electronics, loose change, etc.) out of sight.
- Remove or properly secure tools and other valuables commonly kept in pickup beds.
- Do not leave spare keys or garage door openers inside your vehicle.
- Do not leave firearms or ammunition inside an unattended vehicle.
- Roll up windows and keep doors locked when leaving vehicle unattended.
- If possible, park in a well-lighted area or inside a garage.
- Consider using a self-arming audible vehicle alarm system.
- Consider installing a monitored home security system or a motion-sensor system – such as a Ring or Nest doorbell camera system that records images and sends alerts via cell phone when motion is detected.
- Refrain from leaving your vehicle unlocked and unattended to run a quick errand or to pump gasoline.
- Immediately report to police any suspicious behavior or activity.