Manchester GM: 'Work Diligently To Thwart Car Break-Ins'

MANCHESTER, CT — Three days after Manchester police released a chart showing how widespread car burglaries have been locally, the town's chief executive issued a reminder for residents to lock their vehicles.

"MPD is working diligently, in a number of ways, to try to locally stem the statewide tide of car thefts and break-ins," Manchester General Manager Scott Shanley said. "The majority of these thefts can be prevented by removing your keys from your car and locking it when you are not in it."

Vehicle break-ins and thefts have plagued the area for about there years. Many times, police have said, the activity centers around carloads of young people jumping out of the vehicles to check door locks. If the car door opens, the thieves rummage for valuables and, in some cases, steal the parked vehicles, police have said.

"MPD continues to investigate motor vehicle burglaries and motor vehicle thefts occurring in our town," police said in an accompanying message to residents. "You can assist us in PREVENTING these crimes by ALWAYS locking your cars, taking your keys, and removing belongings from your vehicles."

Though the heaviest concentration is on the center and western portions of Manchester, the map shows that every area of town has been affected in some way.

Here's a look at the map: