Public Urged To "Lock Your Car, Take Your Keys"

Press release from the City of Grand Rapids:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In the last seven days, thieves have stolen 19 vehicles in Kent County with the majority of those thefts occurring in Grand Rapids. To reduce this uptick in vehicle thefts, the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) is joining with the Kent County Sheriff Department, and the Kent County Chiefs of Police Association to remind residents of the importance of keeping vehicles safe and secure.

“These are crimes of opportunity,” said Sgt. Jim Wojczynski, supervisor of the multi-jurisdictional Combined Auto Theft Team. “These thieves are looking for unlocked vehicles and those left running. It might be just a few minutes, but that is plenty of time for criminals to strike. Making a habit of locking your car and taking your keys is a very effective way for everyone to help prevent auto theft.”

Not only are vehicle thefts increasing, so too are crimes associated with the thefts. According to Grand Rapids Police Department Deputy Chief Scott Rifenberg, thieves are driving recklessly, often at dangerous speeds, to avoid arrest. Over the past few months, there has also been an uptick in stolen cars being used in other serious crimes.

The GRPD’s March 26 Operation: Safe Neighborhood resulted in the recovery of two stolen vehicles and four of the 19 total arrests were related to auto-theft. Police officers were successful in that endeavor due in part to the support of partner agencies.

“GRPD officers try to avoid high-speed chases because they put other drivers, pedestrians, and neighborhoods at risk,” said Rifenberg. “By using the Michigan State Police helicopter during that operation, we were able to spot and recover stolen vehicles without the risk of high-speed car chases. But that’s a resource for very specific operations, so we really need the community’s help to stop these thefts before they start. Please lock your car and take your keys. Stopping auto theft by keeping vehicles secure helps keep everyone safe.”

If anyone has information about the vehicle thefts or information that leads to the recovery of stolen vehicles in the Grand Rapids region, please contact GRPD investigators at (616) 456-3380. Anonymous tips may be made to Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345 or www.silentobserver.org.

This press release was produced by the City of Grand Rapids. The views expressed are the author's own.