OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – One Fox Valley police department is reporting more and more cars being stolen. And it’s turning to social media to try and get residents to turn the trend around.
Your car could be the target of thieves.
Oshkosh Police officers have seen a rise in thefts in the city this year.
Last week a pickup truck was stolen from Washington County, the driver ended up crashing into a home in Oshkosh. Police say he then stole another car.
“Many times these types of crimes occur its because the opportunity is there and someone takes advantage of that.
Lt. Andy Lecker with Oshkosh police tells FOX 11 if residents can take the opportunity away from car thieves they can help prevent the thefts from happening.
“Many of our vehicle thefts are because the keys were left in the vehicle and someone simply got in the vehicle, took the keys and started and drove off.”
Oshkosh police is in the midst of a social media campaign on Facebook urging residents to lock up their vehicles and their homes.
All messages urge residents make it a nightly routine, using the hashtag 9 p.m. routine.
“Very, very, rarely do we have stolen autos that are not taken because they acquired the keys somehow.”
Most to the thefts take place with keys left in cars on the street or in driveways.
But Lecker says cars in garages should be locked too.
“I would still recommend if you keep your car in though garage you still take the keys out of it because people do break into garages periodically.”
Police believe the spike in car thefts is happening in other communities across the state as well.
