Police Chief: Car Breaks-Ins Are 'Crime of Opportunity'

Salisbury Township Police Chief Allen Stiles called recent car break-ins throughout the township a "crime of opportunity" and urged residents to lock their cars at night.

Stiles said that 20 cars were broken into last Thursday night and one was stolen.

Police said the vehicles entered were on Paxford Road, Lexington Street, Marlow Street and Maumee Avenue. 

Stiles said items stolen were mainly electronic devices and small amounts of cash.
 
"All the cars that were entered were left unlocked," Stiles said. "All the people whose cars were broken into said they should have locked their cars, but they thought it was a safe area. Those days are gone."

Stiles said there were officers patrolling the area that night, but they did not encounter any activity. He added that no actual witnesses saw the thefts.

"I would tell residents to take their valuables with them out of the car or lock them in the trunk," Stiles said.

"We would like to apprehend the people who committed these thefts that night," he added.

This was the latest in a spate of car break-ins throughout the township.

On June 30, Salisbury Police reported that 13 cars were broken into.