The Coppell Police Department has reported a concerning increase in vehicle burglaries in the city during the month of July. According to their records, there were seven reported cases of Burglary of Motor Vehicles, with three of the incidents involving the theft of vehicles by breaking a window, and four occurring when the vehicle owners left their cars unlocked.
Of the three cases involving broken windows, two were identified as "jugging" incidents, where the victims were followed from a bank located in Irving. The criminals took advantage of the victims' inattention to their surroundings, striking when they felt the time was right. The third incident with a broken window took place at a daycare during pickup/drop off, again highlighting the importance of remaining vigilant in public places.
In a particularly alarming incident, the suspect managed to steal the victim's keys from an unlocked locker at a local gym. With the stolen keys, the perpetrator then easily gained access to the victim's vehicle in the gym's parking lot, stealing their wallet before abandoning the keys at the scene. Authorities have noted that this pattern of theft from unlocked gym lockers has been on the rise, as criminals count on individuals' trust in their gym environment, leaving lockers unlocked and vulnerable.
The police department has urged residents to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of vehicle burglary. Simple steps like locking car doors and securing valuable belongings out of sight can go a long way in deterring opportunistic thieves.
