The Windsor police are currently directing a cautionary note to the local residents due to a surge in automotive thefts recently. They are collaborating with Crime Stoppers to catch the culprits responsible for these crimes.
Evidence in the form of videos has been collected by the Police, showcasing different instances of car thefts from a varied range of locations. This includes petrol stations, cafés, banks, and other commercial establishments.
An interesting correlation in all these cases points to an absent-minded mistake on the driver’s part—each vehicle was left unlocked and running at the time of theft.
In one specific piece of footage, a potential suspect is seen loitering suspiciously outside a gas station for an extended period of time. His actions suggest waiting for an opportune moment to execute the vehicle theft.
As per an initial analysis made by the investigating officers, there seems to be a group of suspects linked to these thefts. Certain suspects are thought to deliberately stake out potential locations. They observe and wait for drivers to leave their vehicles running unattended, thus creating an easy theft opportunity. On the other hand, some suspects seem to be committing these thefts spontaneously, simply spotting running vehicles and seizing the chance presented to them.
Some of the frequently targeted sites include parking lots located along Dougall Avenue’s 3900 block, Walker Road’s 3400 block, and Devon Drive near Devonshire Mall.
Head Coordinator of Crime Stoppers, Constable Lauren Brisco, reports that investigations related to these thefts are ongoing. Any valuable information regarding these thefts can be forwarded to specific sections of the Windsor Police Service. This includes the Property Crimes Unit, Auto Theft Investigator, or Target Base Investigators. Anonymous submissions can also be made at www.catchcrooks.com or via a phone call to 519-258-TIPS.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that leaving a car unattended, unlocked, and running can potentially lead to insurance claim denials. Not only does this put owners at risk, it also significantly endangers the general public, given these stolen vehicles are frequently used in other criminal activities.
Therefore, there are some steps you can take to avoid car thefts:
- Always shut off your vehicle.
- Lock the doors whenever you leave your vehicle unattended.
- Never leave behind a spare key or key fob in the vehicle.
