Police Chief Craig Courtin announced that there has recently been an increase in the number of vehicles that have been broken into. The suspects are targeting vehicles that are parked in high density parking lots such as those at restaurants, apartment buildings and hotels. Typically the victims are parking for a short time, leaving valuable items in plain view or even in the trunk of the vehicle and sometimes failing to lock their cars. The thieves are targeting purses, laptops, GPS units and MP3 players, which are easily sold. Additionally, computers, purses and wallets are highly desired targets that are stolen, to commit identity theft. Placing the items in the trunk has not always proven to be effective in preventing theft, especially in cars that have been left unlocked and from which interior trunk lock releases can be pushed.

The best measures that you can take to prevent being victimized are to lock your car and not leave any valuable items inside. Suspicious persons or activities in parking lots should be reported immediately to the Foster City Police by calling 911 or 573-3333. For information on how to keep your valuables safe and to protect yourself from identity theft, contact the Crime Prevention Bureau of the Foster City Police Department at 650-286-3300, or visit the Department’s website at www.fostercity.org/Services/safety/police/title-Page-Crime-Prevention.cfm.