It's Cold Outside; Police Warn Drivers of "Warm-up" Thefts

Las Cruces police are reminding drivers to the dangers of automobile warm-up thefts.

Source: City of Las Cruces
Photo: Courtesy

Vehicle warm-up thefts can happen when, during cold weather months, an automobile is started and left unattended to warm the cabin or defrost the windshield. While many newer-model vehicles have remote-start capabilities, that option has its own risks and can lead a perpetrator to break in and attempt a theft.

Police ask motorists to refrain from leaving vehicles unattended while the engine is running, and doors are unlocked.

Useful tips:

Do not leave vehicles running and unattended.
Do not leave vehicles running, unattended and with children inside.
Do not leave keys or items of value inside the vehicle or easily seen from outside.
Do not leave keys to your home, business, or other properties inside vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle’s title, or personal or financial documents in vehicle.
Do not leave firearms or ammunition inside vehicles.
Do not leave garage door remote openers in vehicle.
Do not loan your vehicle to someone you do not know and fully trust.
Invest in and use an audible alarm system with an automatic kill switch that prevents the vehicle from being started.
Ensure that all windows to vehicle are etched with the Vehicle Identification Number.
Close and lock windows and doors when leaving vehicles unattended.
If possible, park vehicle in a garage or within a gated area.
Do not leave garage doors open or partially open. Entry can be gained by leaving a garage door partially open by as little as 10 inches.
Immediately report suspicious persons or activity in your neighborhood.
Immediately report a stolen vehicle by calling police at (575) 526-0795 or call 911 if it is an emergency. Be prepared to provide the make, model and color of vehicle along with the VIN and current license plate number.

Article posted by:

Levi Gwaltney

Levi Gwaltney is the Editor In Chief of Las Cruces Digest. The Editor makes editorial and posting decisions regarding content published on this site. In most cases, the Editor makes little if any contribution to content published, and takes no credit for the content of republished posts. If available, the source or author of posts is provided at the top of the article.