Yuma County sees recent increase in vehicular burglaries
Yuma, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma Police Department is reporting an increase in vehicular burglaries over the past several days, and are making sure locals take extra precautions to protect their property.
According to police, burglars are checking vehicles to see whether they are unlocked or have valuables left in plain sight. The recent increase has caused concern among community members.
Local resident Dalia Salazar said the situation is worrying and has changed how her household thinks about vehicle security.
“It is because I park this car outside,” Salazar said. “My brother-in-law, he has a wheel lock, and he’d be like, ‘okay, I’m gonna put that on,’ and we used to put that on, as well, so nobody would even get a chance to take it.”
Police say the burglaries are occurring throughout the city and extending into county areas, rather than being limited to a single neighborhood. Sgt. Lori Franklin, Yuma Police Department Public Information Officer, said incidents have been reported in multiple directions across the region. “We’ve had them out east. We’ve had them out west, so it’s not really a specific location,” Franklin said.
Authorities are encouraging residents to take simple but effective steps to reduce the risk of theft. Sgt. Franklin emphasized the importance of keeping valuables out of sight and vehicles locked at all times.
“Always cover anything that you have," said Franklin. "If you’re buying packages, and stuff like that, keep them covered, so people can’t see them, but lock your vehicles. Take your purses in. Take your laptops in. Take your cell phones in. Keep your valuables out of your car.”
