Rash of vehicle break-ins prompts advice from Minneapolis police

By Tim Harlow, Star Tribune

Last update: September 27, 2007 - 12:10 AM

Thieves have been entering unlocked vehicles or breaking locked vehicles' windows near Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet at an increased rate during the past month, said Lt. Chris Hildreth of the Minneapolis Police Department.

Normally the department fields an average of 10 incidents involving thefts from vehicles per week, but in the past month that number has skyrocketed to more than 40 per week. In most cases the culprits are taking purses, wallets, loose change, Ipods, CDs and other "valuables that are in plain view," Hildreth said.

Police are looking for three men who they believe are responsible for some of the burglaries.

"This is a perennial problem, but it's not just the lakes or in Uptown," Hildreth said. "It's everywhere, even the suburbs."

Aside from leaving valuables at home, Hildreth said people should lock them in their trunks before arriving at their destination, or take them along when they leave the vehicle.

Anyone with information about the thefts can call 911 or Minneapolis police at 612-348-2345.

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