"Statistically, in North Hollywood, we have 55 burglary theft for motor vehicles a week," said Detective Tim Shaw, /*Los Angeles Police Department*/. "We want to reduce that. We want to harden the target. We want to let the public know: 'Don't leave valuables in the car.'"
Laptops, cameras, /*iPods*/ and /*GPS systems*/ line the stolen property room at the LAPD North Hollywood Division. These are very popular with thieves, likely because they are easy to find and to take.
"People that are walking down the street, or through a parking lot, happen to peer into vehicles and see items of value that are laid in there," said LAPD Commanding Officer Captain John Peters.
To prove the point, Detective Shaw took /*ABC7*/ to a home-improvement store parking lot. Detective Shaw walked around the lot looking for items in vehicles that would tempt a thief. It didn't take very long before he found what he was looking for.
/*Eyewitness News*/ and Detective Shaw found someone who left their briefcase sitting in plain sight. Another had taken their GPS system off of their dashboard, but left the stand exposed in their car. Authorities say criminals notice everything, including cables and docking stations, which signal something of value is still in the car.
Detective Shaw suggests buying an inexpensive case to put your expensive electronic devices. That way, when you leave the car you can take everything with you.
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