Local & State Headlines

Vehicle theft on increase

• In the last two weeks alone, four cars with keys left inside were stolen in Albany, police officials say.

J.D. Sumner

ALBANY — Nearly four dozen cars were reported stolen in the City of Albany last month, a number police are hoping that a common sense approach may cut.

In the month of July, Albany Police Department officials say 44 motor vehicles were reported stolen in what has become a growing crime trend throughout the city.

What is even more disturbing is that in a number of those thefts, vehicles were either left unlocked, running or with keys in plain sight within the vehicle when they were stolen.

APD spokesperson Phyllis Banks said that detectives are now asking the public to be more aware of how they leave their vehicles in an effort to thwart would-be thieves.

“A good number of the thefts involved vehicles that were not locked and had keys still in the car,” Banks said. “It’s a commonsense approach, but one that may deter the people stealing these cars.”

According to statistics provided by the APD, in the last two weeks alone, four stolen cars had keys left inside the vehicle. In two of the cases, the cars were left running when they were stolen.

“It’s best just to stay aware and play it safe,” Banks said. “Don’t take for granted that you’re just running inside a store for a minute and leave the car running. The point, I guess, is to make it as difficult for the thieves as possible.”