[November 19, 2008]

Authorities see spike in car break-ins

Nov 19, 2008 (Statesville Record & Landmark - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Jamie Pennell left her car for a few minutes last Wednesday to go into the school to get her child.

When she got back, she didn't notice anything at first. Then she saw her cell phone was gone from the cup holder.

Then she looked in her back seat, where she discovered her briefcase-style bookbag and laptop computer were missing.

Pennell is just one of many recent victims of car break-ins -- a crime police said is increasing.
"We're seeing a spike in car break-ins, and with the downturn in the economy, crime in general parallels the economy," Statesville Police Department Interim Chief Tom Anderson said.

Pennell said she stopped last Wednesday at Northview Elementary School and parked across the street on Woods Drive.

She went inside and picked up her son before climbing back into her green Dodge Stratus.
"I didn't realize at first that my stuff was gone," she said.
Then her heart sank. Her laptop, which she just recently had restored, with all her classwork from Mitchell Community College, was gone.

She doesn't know if her car doors were locked. Pennell said she pushed the remote keyless entry button, but it's possible the doors didn't lock.

Pennell called police and made a report and then tried to track down the culprits herself. She used a second cell phone to call the first, but didn't receive an answer.

Instead, she said, she started getting text messages. "They were teasing, saying 'I stole your phone,' " she said.

Anderson said Pennell's experience is another reason he frequently hands out the advice to never leave anything of value in a vehicle.

"The one and only 100 percent guarantee of not having personal property taken from a vehicle is not to leave it there," he said.

Anderson added that the theft of personal items could be just the start of troubles. Thieves can use information from purses and, especially laptops, to steal identities.

"It can take days and weeks to get information out to the various entities involved, and maybe years to straighten out your credit," he said. "The ripple effect goes on and on and on."

He recommended carrying only what is needed when going out. Purses and backpacks are also targeted by thieves.

"It takes less than 30 seconds for someone to get into your car if it's not locked and get what they want and get out," he said. "Potential witnesses may not even realize what's happening."

Anderson said most thieves looking to break in a car seek out easy targets -- those with unlocked doors.

That was the case over the weekend when a woman's purse, containing her credit cards, Social Security card and checkbook were stolen from her car while she was at work at JR's in the Newtowne Plaza.

A jacket and cell phone were also taken.
She told police she thought she locked her car, but like Pennell, wasn't sure the keyless device worked properly.

There was another similar case last week at Fred's on Wilkesboro Highway, where a purse was taken from an unlocked car.

Anderson said a locked car may not totally guard against a break-in, especially if something of value, such as a laptop, is in plain view.

Smashing a car window doesn't attract a lot of attention, Anderson said. "It's not as loud as you'd think," he said.

Pennell said she hopes someone who was at or around the school Nov. 12 when school was dismissed will now realize they witnessed something and step forward.

She said the backpack was unusual -- a green, briefcase-style bookbag with the name Guiness on it.
"I just hope somebody saw someone walking down the street with it," she said.
Anyone with information can call the police at (704) 878-3406.
Anderson said people need to realize that what happened to Pennell can happen to anyone.
"If you don't absolutely have to have it, leave it at home," he said.
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