Police are warning suburban residents of a recent crime trend where unlocked vehicles with their keys inside are being stolen.
Since May, over 100 mostly high-end unlocked cars parked overnight in residential driveways in areas close to major highways have been stolen, and 200 more have been burglarized, according to a statement from Elmhurst police.
The thefts have happened in Elmhurst, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Wilmette, Highland Park, Glencoe, Glenview, Winnetka, Northbrook, Deerfield, Hinsdale, Bolingbrook and Naperville.
Police are alerting residents to lock their cars and garage doors.
Elmhurst Police Chief Michael Ruth advises, “In a majority of the cases, the stolen vehicles have been left unlocked with the keys in the car. If the thieves did not find the keys, they stole what they could. We have an escalated alert out to all residents, asking them to please lock their vehicles and take the keys with them. If the thieves do not have success in committing this crime in Elmhurst, they will stop targeting this area.”
