Car Crooks Target Empty Running Vehicles
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Car owners expect to come out to a warm and heated car, but to their surprise, sometimes it's already gone. Video by kmtv.com
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"Well I don't like the idea and I don't like hearing about it because you never know when it's gonna be yours."
They're like sitting ducks; cars parked on the streets and in driveways.
"We have seen an increase lately in auto thefts in certain areas of the city."
Omaha Police say thieves are taking advantage of car owners while the weather is cold.
"Car owners expect to come out to a warm and heated car, but to their surprise, sometimes it's already gone."
"People leave their cars on, running, in order to warm them up before they go somewhere. We definitely discourage that."
On "crimemapping.com" the purple icons represent motor vehicle thefts. They're in clusters across the city, mostly reported this month.
Police have noticed car crooks swiping rides specifically in South Omaha.
"If these things are happening towards the time between 4 in the morning and 6 in the morning, which is likely, because people get out and they start because it's cold outside. Not every body's paying attention."
"Would it put you on edge? Yeah if I had one out in the driveway. You bet."
Mary Cannia has lived in her South Omaha neighborhood for than 50 years. She's worried for her neighbors who don't have a garage.
She always keeps her car locked up and put away, no matter what.
"Oh no, I always have it in the garage. I usually have my garage down so I don't have to worry about it."
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