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Crime & Safety

Top Cop Issues Auto Burglary Advisory

FCPD reports spike in car break-ins; Courtin says most are preventable.

The Foster City Police Department has issued an advisory warning the public to be on alert amid a spike in auto burglaries this month.

The advisory, which was issued by Police Chief Craig Courtin, says that many of these crimes are preventable, noting that burglars view car break-ins as “a crime of opportunity.”

Locking cars at all times, and keeping valuables out of plain site, are the two most effective preventative measures motorists can take when leaving their vehicles unattended, Courtin said.

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“In many cases, thefts from cars are a crime of opportunity,” Courtin said. “Suspects walk areas with high concentrations of vehicles, first checking for those that are unlocked and then for those with items of value or possible value, that are visible. The most sought after items continue to be purses, laptop computers, GPS devices, and cash. All of these can be easily stored out of sight, or better yet, removed from the vehicle entirely.”

Anyone with information on vehicle burglaries or any other crime is asked to call the FCPD’s anonymous tip line at 650-286-3323.

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