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The thief gets in the car, grabs the bags and is gone before anyone notices.
It's a crime that becomes more common as the shopping season hits full stride. Police are hoping that by emphasizing a few safety tips, they can keep you and your Christmas presents safe.
"The vast majority of cars are unlocked," said Officer John Carey, of the Lynchburg Police Department. "People get in a hurry. They are distracted. They aren't thinking about prevention and they don't lock their doors."
It's not just stealing from cars. Thieves can take a bag that an overloaded shopper sets down to find their keys or can steal a wallet from a purse in the shopping cart while its owner shops the aisles.
"This is the time of year for thefts from cars," said Maj. Steve Hutcherson, of the Campbell County Sheriff's Office. "With the economy being what it is, we will see an increase in thefts."
Carey said relatively few such crimes are reported in Lynchburg. The statistics don't seem like much overall, but it's a lot to a person who has lost hundreds of dollars in Christmas presents.
The Wards Road and Candlers Mountain Road areas are the most prone to larcenies in the city, he said. As a general rule, all crimes increase in November and December, from thefts to assaults and drunk driving.
"We will see an increase in incidents -- larceny from vehicles, car accidents, disorderlies," Carey said. "We'll get two to three calls to Wal-Mart on Black Friday."
Police emphasize a few safety tips to remember while shopping:
- Don't leave packages in view inside your car. "Lock it up in the trunk," Carey said. "Out of sight, out of mind."
- When shoppers get more than a few bags in their hands, Carey recommends going to the car and depositing them in the trunk before continuing to shop. It keeps the purchases secure and your hands free.
"If you've got 15 bags in your hands and you are trying to juggle the bags, your purse and your keys and you set them down, it's easy for a person to grab a bag and walk away and you not be the wiser."
- Once the trunk is full, take a break to go home and drop off the purchases before heading out again.
- Be aware of where you put your keys, particularly with keyless entry remotes. The unlock button can easily get pushed when it's dropped into a purse or put in a pocket.
- While shopping, never leave your purse unattended. One moment of distraction can give a thief the opportunity to take your wallet.
- Avoid carrying cash, or credit cards you will not need to reduce the risk of losing them or having them stolen.
Hutcherson also recommended that shoppers use a credit or check card rather than carrying large amounts of cash, making them a less likely target.
- Park in well-lighted areas close to the store's entrance or ask a security officer from the store to walk you out to your car. If there is no security available, wait and walk out with other shoppers.
"Be aware of what's around you and have your keys in your hand," Hutcherson said.
- Don't leave your house unlocked since some thieves will use that as an opportunity to steal presents from under the tree. Use light timers to turn on lights or music in different parts of the house when you are not home.
- Never leave voice mail or answering machine messages that say that you are gone or when you'll be out of town.
- Have someone bring in your mail and newspapers when you leave town. If you have packages shipped, and don't think you will be home to receive them, ask a neighbor to bring them in.
- When shopping online be aware of scams and frauds.
- There's safety in numbers. When you shop with someone, that person can watch to keep you and your purchases safe.
"tt all comes down to being aware of what's happening around you," Hutcherson said.
Information provided by the Lynchburg Police Department, the Campbell County Sheriff's Office, the Bedford County Sheriff's Office and the Amherst County Sheriff's Office.
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