Increase in car thefts prompts alert from police

A recent rash of vehicle thefts prompted an alert from Thomas Krumpter, acting Commissioner of the Nassau County Police, last week.

Between Sept. 15, when a 2001 black Lincoln Navigator was stolen while parked on Long Beach Rd. in Oceanside, until Oct. 8, at least nine cars had been reported stolen in Nassau County. Most of the thefts were of luxury cars equipped with push-button starts that had been left unlocked, police said.

“The thefts are occurring at all times of the day and night in which the car has been left unlocked and the key fob left in a vehicle equipped with a push-button start,” the release said.

Police offered residents several recommendations for safeguarding their vehicles, including locking them and securing all windows, parking in a locked garage and keeping the exterior of homes and driveways well illuminated. Residents should never leave or hide a smart key, valet key, or spare key anywhere in or on their vehicles.

The release also urged people to be observant of cars and people who appear suspicious. “If you see something, say something,” the release said.

Residents should call 911 and be ready to provide a description of the suspicious person or vehicle and a license plate number, police said.