Leonard: Car thieves target stereo systems in break-ins
Though he admits there has been an increase in vehicle break-ins on campus, Security Director Steve Leonard said his department is doing what it can to combat the problem.
“We do take this very seriously,” he said.
Security has been enhanced in parking lots by increasing the number of patrols during evening and overnight shifts, Leonard said.
The security department has also sent out campus alerts to warn students of the possibility of crime on campus.
Leonard said that the break-ins tend to happen on weekends. He said the vandals pursue aftermarket car stereos. The theft of car stereos and the time of the activity are the only common denominators in the crimes. Other valuables have been left behind in vehicles, such as wallets and GPS systems.
“There was an occurrence of an envelope of money being left in a car, unfound and untouched,” Leonard said.
Leonard said students should lock their car doors, park in well lit areas and not keep valuables in vehicles. He also said faculty and students should report anything that is out of the ordinary.
“Be aware of what is going on around you,” Leonard said.
If a student’s vehicle is broken into, Leonard said the student should not move the vehicle or touch anything in it and then contact security.
“A lot of students will contact security, and then we’ll encourage them to contact the police or sometimes even do it for them,” Leonard said.
Some students who have vehicles on campus have begun to take measures to prevent break-ins.
“I always lock my car, no matter what,” junior Chelsy Gott said.
Other students have continued their normal habits when leaving cars on campus.
Sophomore Kelsey Roberts said she always hides CDs, never leaves her GPS in her car and hides or removes valuables from her vehicle.
Leonard said that the criminals are targeting lots that are not near residence halls. Students who park near residence halls may be less likely to become victims to vehicle break-ins.
Leonard said before the last round of break-ins, vandals targeted the Goodell parking lot next to the football stadium.
Vandals who broke into vehicles two weekends ago did so in the Goodell and Branigin lots.
With recent increased break-ins at locations such as mall parking lots, Leonard said he doesn’t think the college is the only target.
