GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — The number of auto thefts in Green Bay rose in January to higher-than usual levels.
Police Commander Kevin Warych says the thefts are up about 60% from last year.
“Year-to-date, when we compare week five of this year to week five of 2019 we had 16 stolen autos this month,” Warych told WTAQ. “We had 10 in 2019…if that trend continues throughout the 11 other months we are going to go way above the 131 cars that were stolen in 2019.”
Warych says the thefts mostly occurred as people were warming their cars up, starting their cars and walking away.
“It’s very important for people to know that the majority of the cars being stolen are being left unattended with the keys in the car,” said Warych.
There has been one arrest so far. Timothy Giese was arrested this week on charges including operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, burglary, and bail jumping.
