5 Cars Stolen From Avon Lake Residents: Police

AVON LAKE, OH — Five cars were stolen from Avon Lake homes between March 24 and March 25, according to police reports obtained by Patch.

A silver BMW 320i was taken taken from a home on Starboard Cove, though the vehicle was later found in Cleveland by police.

A Toyota 4-runner and a Nissan Rogue were taken from a home on Chancellor Circle. Both cars were left unlocked, with the keys inside, overnight.

A Nissan Pathfinder was stolen from a home on Tradewinds Drive.

A Volkswagen Jetta was taken from a home on Williamsburg Drive. The vehicle was left unlocked and the keys were inside. The thieves were caught on a neighbor's surveillance camera, but police are still investigating the theft.

All of the stolen cars were taken overnight between March 24 and March 25, according to police reports.

Three SUVs were recently stolen from driveways in Westlake, police there reported.

Starting in September 2020, Cleveland's western suburbs saw a surge in thefts from unlocked and stolen vehicles. The suspects all targeted cars that were left unlocked overnight.

Residents can follow simple, commonsense tactics to protect themselves, police said:

• Park your car in a garage, if you can
• Lock your car overnight
• Don't keep car keys inside your car
• Don't keep valuables inside your car
• Contact police if you see someone suspicious in your neighborhood, particularly if they're prowling around between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.