Police Warn of Car Burglaries

San Luis Obispo Police are warning the public about a spike in car break-ins in and around the area of Los Osos Valley Road.
Sgt. Chad Pfarr said last week that, “During the past week there has been an increase in burglaries of vehicles in the neighborhoods around Los Osos Valley Road. Officers have responded to at least eight vehicle burglary reports in the last week.”
The suspect or suspects, apparently are bent on doing damage as Sgt. Pfarr said the scoundrels are breaking a window to get in even in cases when the doors are not locked.
“The suspect(s),” Sgt. Pfarr said, “are breaking a window to victim vehicles and take only items in arms reach of the broken window. In several cases the door to the cars were unlocked and the window was still broken. In each case the victims reported leaving items of apparent value sitting in plain sight in the vehicles.”
Police are giving the same warnings to the public that they try and remind folks of every time car break-ins spike in SLO:
• Never leave your keys inside the vehicle; lock your doors and keep the windows rolled up; 

• Take valuable items out of your car or make sure you keep them out of view; 

• Park in well-lit areas; and, 

• If your car is broken into, call the police immediately. Burglars may still be in 
the area and evidence may be present that can assist law enforcement in identifying the people responsible. 

As for setting car alarms, Sgt. Pfarr said there haven’t been a lot of alarms going off with these break-ins but even if the alarm was set, the things being stolen are within easy arm reach. Car alarms aren’t much of a deterrent in these type break-ins, he said.
If readers happen to see a car burglary in progress, call the police and take note of as much information as possible, such as the location of the incident — including address, cross streets or specific location inside a parking lot. Try to determine a suspect description — sex, race, age, height, weight, hair color and length, color 
and length of facial hair, colors and style of clothing, and any identifying marks like tattoos or piercings, etc.
And make note of the direction the burglar went if he or she flees the area. If the thief flees in a vehicle, give the 
description of the vehicle and attempt to provide a license plate, Sgt. Pfarr said.
 And get a description of the victim vehicle, such as color, make, model and license plate. 

If readers have any information about this crime call the SLOPD at (805) 781-7312 or Crime Stoppers at (805) 549-STOP.