The Mansfield Division of Police has noticed an increase in stolen vehicles occurring within our city over the past several months.
From January 1 through June 10, there were 52 stolen vehicles reported in our city as compared to the same time period as last year when 25 vehicles were reported stolen. This is an increase of over 108%.
Although vehicle thefts occurred throughout the city this year, a majority of them (over 51%) occurred in the south ends of the city (south of Park Avenue West).The majority of the thefts (65.8%) occurred on Mondays through Thursdays and were reported between the hours of midnight-3PM.
In over 21% of the thefts, the owner/driver had left the keys in the vehicle. In 10% of the thefts, a friend and/or acquaintance had taken the vehicle keys without the owner’s permission and had left with the vehicle unbeknownst to the victim.
The Mansfield Division of Police would like to remind the community to never leave keys in the ignition of a vehicle, the glovebox, and/or the center console as these are often the first place the thieves will check. Please keep your keys and other valuable personal items out of sight or in a place not easily accessible to visitors to your home to help discourage these types of crimes of opportunity. Also, remember to lock your vehicle whenever possible to make access to the inside more difficult for potential thieves. Keep garage doors closed and secured and please report any suspicious individuals and/or activity in your neighborhood.
The Division thanks you for your help in addressing these community crimes.
Source: Mansfield Division of Police
