Category | Featured

Thefts from student vehicles continue

Published on February 2, 2010 by Caitlyn Newmeyer

Police are investigating several cases of theft from student vehicles.

A stereo is missing from a vehicle after the dashboard was pried open by a thief. Photo courtesy of KSU police.

Sixteen  cases of theft from vehicles parked on campus have occurred in the past three months, with residential parking areas hit hardest.

Most cases happened during the night in areas such as the North Parking Deck.  These areas hold large numbers of vehicles and are easily accessed by foot or vehicle.

In more than half the cases, car doors were left unlocked and valuable items were in plain view. Other cases involved smashed windows or doors that were pried open.

“In over 50 percent of the entering auto cases reported, GPS units and iPod/MP3 players in plain view were stolen,” said Jennifer Elliot, lead investigator for KSU police. “In dash stereos and visible after market speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers are also popular items to steal.”

Other items stolen include parts and accessories of vehicles, such as license plates. No arrests have been made in connection to the thefts, although the investigation is ongoing.

“There has not been any pattern identified with regard to make, model, year or color; they are all just random cars” Elliot said. “The pattern lies with the access inside the vehicle and the visible valuables in the vehicle.”

Elliot encourages students, faculty and staff not to leave valuable items in plain sight and make sure car doors are locked when parked.

Elliot also suggests keeping serial numbers and information of valuable items like GPS systems and iPods on file.

Resident Assistant Laura Cox recalled her experience when her car was broken into while parked on campus.

“I was parked in the KSU Place visitor spots because that was the only spot left that day,” she said “They broke through my driver’s side window and stole my GPS and my iPod docking station.

“When I first noticed it, I thought my window had just broken. I didn’t believe anyone would just break in. Then I came to my senses and called the police. It was while I was on the phone with the police that I noticed the missing items.”

Cox said despite the event, she still feels safe parking on campus. She does not leave valuable items in her car and encourages her friends to do the same.

Security cameras have been installed in both the North and Central Parking Decks. However, poor quality video and lack of surveillance footage sometimes hinders police from identifying suspects.

Once a case has been reported, KSU police collect information about the vehicle and items stolen and attempt to pinpoint a time frame in which the theft may have occurred.  Officers document any damage to the vehicle and determine whether quality fingerprints can be lifted from the scene.