The Mansfield Division of Police has noticed an increase in stolen vehicles occurring within our city over the past several months.
From January 1st, 2019 through June 10th, 2019 there were 52 stolen vehicles reported in our city as compared to the same time period as last year which had 25 stolen vehicles reported. This is an increase of over 108%. Although, the vehicle thefts occurred throughout the city, a majority of them (over 51%) occurred in the south ends of the city (south of Park Avenue West).
The majority of the thefts (65.8%) were occurring Mondays through Thursdays and were reported between the hours of midnight-3PM. In over 21% of the thefts, the owner/driver had left the keys in the vehicle. In 10% of the thefts, a friend and/or acquaintance had taken the vehicle keys without the owner’s permission and had unknowingly to the victim, left with the vehicle.
The Mansfield Division of Police would like to remind the community to never leave keys in the ignition of a vehicle, the glovebox, and/or the center console as these are often the first place the thieves will check. Please keep your keys and other valuable personal items out of sight or in a place not easily accessible to visitors to your home, to help to discourage these types of crimes of opportunity. Also, remember to lock your vehicle whenever possible to make access to the inside more difficult for potential thieves. Keep garage doors closed and secured and please report any suspicious individuals and/or activity in your neighborhood.
Thank you for your help in addressing these community crimes.