PITTSBURGH — Police said criminals are watching and waiting to see if you leave the keys in the ignition -- something we’ve all done during the bitter, cold months. They’re putting out a warning now after 69 people had their cars stolen in January.
“Like every single morning because the heat takes forever to start,” said Paige Lawler.
Lawler said it’s very concerning because she often starts her car up to get it warm.
“If I’m running into my apartment to grab something, I do that too,” said Leah Mensch.
Police said it’s a preventable crime of opportunity.
“Many of these vehicles were stolen with the keys or key fobs in the vehicle, the vehicle running,” said Sgt. William Vollberg.
Cars have been stolen along neighborhood streets, at gas stations and outside local restaurants.
“Delivery drivers are parking outside of establishments to pick up delivers or drop off deliveries and leave their vehicles running,” Vollberg said.
Last week on South Highland Avenue near Centre Avenue, four delivery drivers who left their cars running while they went in to pick up food orders came back to find their cars gone. An Uber Eats driver was also targeted on the same street on Tuesday.
Police are reminding people that it is actually illegal to leave your car unattended while it’s running.
TRENDING NOW:
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
