The Lafayette Police Department is warning residents to double-check their vehicles before they leave them, even if it’s for a short amount of time.
Authorities say as much as 75% of vehicles thefts that have occurred over the past two weeks are the result of unsecured vehicles. The study reviewed 51 thefts and of those, only 13 had signs of forced entry.
Lafayette police say that means residents aren’t properly locking their vehicles.
Another red flag is people leaving valuables in plain sight. The report estimates about 80% of the items stolen were visible before the break in.
Authorities warn, especially during the holiday season when people are shopping and vehicles are filled with valuables, to lock all doors and hide belongings to reduce the likelihood of becoming a target.