Full Notification

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 28, 2015
Southern Pines Police Department Announces:
Community Notification of Thefts Occurring From Motor Vehicles

The Southern Pines Police Department would like to call to the attention of the public an increased number of larcenies from motor vehicles which have recently occurred. In the majority of each larceny incident, a purse, cash, wallet, laptop or an item of significance was left in a parked, unlocked and unoccupied vehicle. In several of the other larceny from motor vehicle incidents that occurred, unlocked vehicles were entered and glove boxes, along with center consoles have been searched for items of value. These crimes have been occurring in a wide geographic area, most often between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. All residents are urged to take additional precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their property. Additional police patrols have been implemented and the Southern Pines Police Department is requesting the assistance of the community in apprehending the suspect(s) engaged in this criminal activity by being alert, aware and prepared to be a good witness. Please do not hesitate to call the Southern Pines Police Department to report any suspicious vehicles, individuals or activity that may be observed. You can reach the Southern Pines Police Department at 910-692-7031 or by dialing 911.

Please consider the following crime prevention tips:

1. Don't leave valuables in your car. Computers, purses and wallets are highly desired targets that are frequently stolen.
2. Don't leave any "sign" that there might be valuables out of sight in your vehicle, such as docking stations, phone chargers or connector cables.
3. Very few larceny from motor vehicle incidents are random. Thieves see something in plain sight that's valuable and they can quickly steal. Leave nothing in plain sight that might make your vehicle worth investigating by a thief; not even loose coins.
4. Set any alarm or anti-theft device if your vehicle has one.
5. Don't think your dark tinted windows will hide your valuables.
Thieves often use flashlights to see through tint.
6. Remember, just "locking" isn't enough. Keep your car off the target list of thieves by keeping all hints of valuables totally out of sight.
7. Lock all your vehicles doors even if you plan to be away for only a brief period of time.

What do you do if something is stolen out of your car? As soon as you notice something's stolen, do not touch/adjust anything in, on, or around the car. As soon as possible, call the police department.

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Contact: Captain Charles Campbell
910-692-2732