Police in Benton Harbor have been busy with stolen vehicle complaints lately.
Speaking to the Benton Harbor Public Safety and Public Works Committee this month, Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis said his department fielded 28 vehicle theft complaints in May.
Public Safety Deputy Director Mike Clark said for a while, it was certain models of cars that were primarily getting stolen because they had security flaws. However, the problem has been more widespread recently.
“Auto theft has now become almost like a sport in that result because the car thieves will just walk through neighborhoods, parking garages, wherever cars are located, and just try doors until they get one that opens,” Clark said. “Then they go inside, and then they push the start button.”
Clark said some thieves just take the car for a day to go wherever they wanted to go, and then they discard the vehicle. Other times, the stolen vehicle winds up in a chop shop where its VIN can be changed, sometimes multiple times.
Clark said drivers have to be vigilant.
“We’re seeing sometimes the same person’s car getting stolen over and over. I know at least one that has happened four times.”
Clark reminded everyone not to leave cars unlocked, never leave the key or fob in the vehicle, and he even suggested wrapping the fob in aluminum foil so it can’t remotely communicate with the car. Thieves take advantage of that technology.
McGinnis said a public campaign to spread awareness will be coming, and commissioners were told to watch out for it.
