CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — The University of Illinois police department had gotten reports of 10 attempted car thefts dating since April 16. Now a month later, UIPD is advising drivers on ways to keep their belongings safe.
UIPD Detective Ryan Snow said car theft is not only an issue that happens on the university campus.
"This is not a unique crime to the campus of University of Illinois. This is so widespread across the state in so many different areas, so many different different campuses, communities, things like that. But we want to do our best to try to protect our students and the people that live in our community from being a victim of this crime," said Snow.
Typically, criminals will break in the back passenger window, climb through the door, and manipulate the steering column to steal the vehicle.
"Its been widely publicized on social media and things like that, that Kias and Hyundais with key ignitions are susceptible to auto theft," Snow explained. "And those are the cars that we're seeing that are being stolen — or attempted to be stolen."
In a Safety Update to students, UIPD included the following tips:
Watch your belongings.
Lock your doors.
Hide it, or better yet, bring it with you.
Be alert, and trust your instincts.
Promptly report crime or suspicious activity.
If you see evidence that a car has been broken into — like if the back passenger window is all the way down or broken — contact your local law enforcement.
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