The Danville Police Department is sounding the alarm after a spate of vehicle thefts have left residents of the town on high alert. The department's Facebook page detailed the methods thieves have used to make off with 36 vehicles over the past year, urging locals to take preventative steps to safeguard their belongings.
An unsettling number of 14 vehicles were reportedly easy pickings because they were left unlocked with the keys inside, the police said, while another 10 involved old models with compromised ignitions, which were "punched" or forcibly turned. Additionally, 5 victims fell prey to tech-savvy crooks who hacked cars through the OBD2 port, a methodology that can circumvent modern security systems, according to the Danville Police Department.
Four trailers have gone missing in a less common but still concerning series of events, and three cases involved vehicles with absent keys. The police urge all residents to lock their cars consistently and, if possible, keep them in a garage, never leaving keys in the vehicle or nearby.
For those driving older models, the recommendation is to consider using anti-theft devices, while trailer owners are advised to secure their property with robust locks. Everyone should keep vigilant, and report any suspicious activity to help keep Danville safe from the tactful hands of thieves, as mentioned on the department's social media post. The department's rallying cry, "#DanvilleSafety #CarTheftAlert #CommunityWatch #LockItOrLoseIt," calls for a united front in the battle against vehicle theft.
