Rash of car break-ins has people watching security

by Nora Gathings (hsgathings@wsbt.com)

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Rash of car break-ins has people watching security

Police say leaving your car unlocked is just as bad as leaving the door open for thieves. (WSBT photo)

By Jim Pinkerton

GRANGER — Thieves broke into eight cars Tuesday night, taking everything from electronics to car insurance cards.

Police say three men were seen breaking into a car parked in a Granger garage. They believe the men are responsible for the seven other break-ins.

These thieves took phones, laptops, phone chargers, purses, clothing, and even a car registration. Police say nearly all these things were in plain site.

The Halls always empty and lock their cars.

"I came out this morning to go to work and noticed everything from the center console was on the floor and the glove compartment was open," said Rich Hall, whose car was broken into.

Hall immediately talked to his son who was the last one in the car.

"Since it does have manual door locks, I make sure the doors are locked before I go inside," said Andy Hall.

But the family has bigger concerns than just the break-in.

"I went through the glove compartment and realized a black folder where we keep our registration and insurance documents were missing, so I was worried about identity theft," said Hall.

Eight cars were broken into Tuesday night in Granger. Half of them were unlocked.

Locked or unlocked, police say if you leave anything in the car, it might as well be on the side of the road.

"I think we are going to be doubly sure to remove valuables from the car and we are going to leave a few lights on," said Hall.

Police say car break-ins increase when the weather is nice, so they are reminding people to lock and remove everything from cars at night.

Thursday, Jul 3 at 5:34 PM yawp wrote ...

We can put people in PMITA prison, we can execute people, we can sit in our warm homes while homeless people die of exposure in inclement weather, we can bombard children with psychologically traumatizing sex and violence from the media... but we cannot abide caning (what they do in Singapore). No. We're too civilized for that.

Thursday, Jul 3 at 4:44 PM BECKY/SOUTH BEND wrote ...

What difference does it make which area of Granger?..it is just a heads up for everyone whether you live in Granger or not..wake up people and be more aware of all your surroundings leaving work,the doctor's office,the grocery store,just everywhere and everytime...someone is probably watching you to see if you could be the next victim.

Thursday, Jul 3 at 10:30 AM Everywhere wrote ...

We live in one of the subdivisions west of the airport and several cars were vandalized more than once within a few weeks of each incident a few summers ago. I'll share the advice to us victims given from a SBPD officer who lives in our subdivision: It's the homeowners fault, that is what driveways are for. He parks his police car on the street all the time. I agree with an eye for an eye.

Thursday, Jul 3 at 10:05 AM MM wrote ...

does anyone ever think these breakins/shootings/etc crimes are an inside job to give the govt an excuse to ease away more of your rights?imagine if after a crime the police said buy guard dogs and guns and learn how to use both.imagine if they said lets return to an eye for an eye,fair,swift punishment for crimes. yes even crimes that include our own. funny how this never happens.

Thursday, Jul 3 at 9:43 AM Robbed wrote ...

No, it's not just Granger,I had this happen to me outside my apartment on Grape a few weeks back. One thing to watch if they take your phone, is if they send any texts to those ringtone companies. I found out the hard way I'd been automatically subscribed to a couple different services, even after informing my carrier of the theft.

Thursday, Jul 3 at 9:37 AM Anon wrote ...

At least one of the breakins appears to have been in the NE part of Granger.

Thursday, Jul 3 at 9:07 AM Kevin wrote ...

Get a sign say neighbor watch.

Thursday, Jul 3 at 9:05 AM anonymous wrote ...

lets open season on them!

Thursday, Jul 3 at 8:57 AM HMM wrote ...

Granger just means better stuff -

Thursday, Jul 3 at 8:43 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I agree with anon. Why wouldn't they report on what area of Granger was hit? I guess they're trying to worry everyone in Granger. That's typical of the media always trying to scare us! Give us just a little info so we stay tuned, hanging on their every word! "What would we do with out you local news?" "We need you to protect us" Gimme a break!

Thursday, Jul 3 at 8:20 AM North Elkhart wrote ...

We've had things stolen from our cars a number of times. We even had two hanging plants stolen the night before Mother's Day! I guess the thieves were too busy to get to Wal-Mart and buy Mom a card or gift.

Thursday, Jul 3 at 3:06 AM hmm wrote ...

We're on the south side of SB and it's not the neighborhood for us but the trash that happens to be passing through. It happens more then is reported around here. Last fall there were 9 cars in our area that we know of that had the windows broken out with a pellet gun in one night. It never made the news.

Thursday, Jul 3 at 2:14 AM anonOmus wrote ...

Granger covers a large portion -- so tell us what section was this in? North, east, south or west? you don't have to give an address but it would be nice to have this reporter add the important information. Otherwise why bother to print? I say this was another usless waste of space!

Wednesday, Jul 2 at 11:00 PM S.Bend wrote ...

It doesn't seem to matter where one lives or what they do to try to prevent thefts. The south side of S.Bend was hit pretty well this last weekend. To the mayor: I suggest stepping up patrols and downsizing in other,unnessary areas.

Wednesday, Jul 2 at 10:49 PM jtalker1965 wrote ...

Okay I'm only going to asked this one more time! HOW many times do we cover a story on the samething? COME ON PEOPLE be smarter than the "lazy bums" out of site out of mind. To many lazy people out there and the have no respect for you or them selves, lazy bums.

Wednesday, Jul 2 at 10:42 PM dang it! wrote ...

This was one of the major reasons I moved from the west side of SB to Granger. I was getting tired of replacing car windows more frequently than motor oil.

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