Deputies from the Santee Sheriff’s Station announced Thursday that car burglaries in the area are on the rise.
Officials say they’ve seen a notable increase in thefts over the last few months stemming from unlocked vehicles. Since September, officials say there have been a total of 177 reported car burglaries in Santee.
According to deputies, car burglary criminals are looking for an easy steal. Suspects are generally peering into windows or opening a door and rifling through the car.
Deputies say the burglars usually are attracted by any items left in plain view inside a vehicle.
As a warning, officials are reminding the public to always lock their car doors, roll up their windows and conceal any valuables that might be inside their car. Moving valuables to the trunk or underneath a seat, out of plain sight, are options.
For more burglary prevention information, call the Santee Sheriff’s Station Crime Prevention Unit at (619) 956-4000. If you see something suspicious in your neighborhood, including a car burglary, report it to officials at (858) 565-5200 or call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
