Ballwin Police Address Auto Break-Ins

A letter addressed to residents sent by the Ballwin Police Department was submitted to Ballwin-Ellisville Patch on Wednesday which discusses common crimes as of late and means of prevention.

Most recently, Ballwin police identified several incidents involving theft from vehicles late last week, when were among the items stolen.

The letter addressing these types of incidents and similar crimes has been reproduced below:

A Message from the Ballwin Police: 

The theft of property from the interior of motor vehicles has become a very common crime across the nation. Many believe these crimes are related to the resurgence of heroin use and the poor economy.

Thieves are stealing anything of value left inside the vehicles such as GPS navigation units, computers, radar detectors, firearms, currency, I-Pods, cigarettes, etc. Most of the vehicles are left unlocked at night and the property stolen can be seen from outside of the vehicle.

The Ballwin Police Department is urging citizens to remove all items of value from their vehicles and to keep the vehicles locked. Homeowners should make sure their garage doors are closed at night.

The Ballwin Police Department has initiated a program to notify homeowners when their garage door is found open at night. When an officer finds a garage door open they will leave a notification card in the mailbox of the home and periodically watch the home throughout the night. The police need your help to stop this type of crime. Removing items of value from the vehicles and keeping your doors locked will help. Citizens are also urged to call the police when they see suspicious people or activity.

Signed,

Captain George Boswell
Ballwin Police Department