Minnetonka police are advising motorists to lock their vehicles and take their valuables with them after a rash of attempted car break-ins over the weekend.
Officers responded to more than a dozen calls about attempted thefts from unlocked vehicles in driveways and residential areas between Friday and Monday. Most of the incidents were in the area southeast of County Road 101 and Lake Street Extension, police said.
In most cases, victims reported minimal or no losses, but that thieves had rummaged through glove boxes and center consoles looking for change and unsecured valuable items, police said.
While patrols will "be paying special attention to this area," particularly at night and on weekends, police are telling drivers to park in well-lit areas, remove valuables from their vehicles or hide them in the trunk, and remove garage door openers from vehicles parked in driveways or on the street. They also are telling residents to stay alert and call 911 to report suspicious activity, including anybody looking into vehicle windows.
The warning in Minnetonka comes just days after Shakopee police put up a $500 reward in hopes of getting information that will help them find those responsible for vandalizing more than 30 vehicles with a BB gun.
"Multiple car windows were shot out with what appears to be a BB gun," a posting on the department's Facebook page reads. The vandalism occurred Friday and Saturday.
Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768
