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Police: Car thefts up 19% in Green Bay

Posted at 3:11 PM, Dec 12, 2019
and last updated 2019-12-12 16:11:55-05

GREEN BAY (NBC 26) -- With early winter weather, Green Bay Police are reporting an uptick in car thefts.

This time last year, 102 car thefts had been reported. But this year, that number is up to 121 - an increase of 19%. Police say, in many cases, it's a crime of opportunity.

"And now that winter is upon us, and as we go through the winter, people will turn their car on to have it warm up,” said Green Bay Patrol Commander Kevin Warych. “So, they can get into a warm car. In doing so, they leave their car unattended and running, someone comes by, sees the opportunity, then steals the car."

Police say there are easy ways to make your car less appealing to would-be thieves, which include parking in a well-lit area or using a remote starter to warm up your car. You can also have two sets of keys and lock the car while it warms up.