ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – Some crime developments get higher over time, however one crime development is getting worse in Albany. Automobile thefts are a criminal offense police say is going on each week the place a number of victims are left with no automotive.
“By no means thought this could occur,” stated an nameless automotive theft sufferer.
The lady stated she thought leaving her automotive doorways unlocked was a method she might keep away from expensive repairs if somebody ever did break into her automotive.
“So in the event that they need to ramble by way of, it could be cheaper so that you can ramble by way of than to bust my window or bust my lock,” she stated. “It’s aggravating.”
Now she’s with out her complete automotive — a 2007 GMC Yukon that she already paid off. Police stated the estimated complete automotive loss is $16,000.
“It’s hurtful. I work too exhausting for what I’ve for somebody simply to come back in and simply assist themselves,” the girl stated.
Automobile thefts are a weekly concern
Albany Police information present that during the last three years, 1,029 automotive thefts have occurred. To this point this yr, 141 vehicles have been stolen. The toughest hit areas are locations alongside Slappey Boulevard, Oglethorpe Boulevard, and Dawson Street.
A number of incident stories of latest automotive thefts confirmed automotive losses totaling as much as hundreds of {dollars} with the very best one being $24,000. Albany Police Chief Michael Persley stated thieves are additionally nonetheless concentrating on Hyundais and Kias all due to a TikTok development.
“We’ve even recovered stolen Kias and Hyundai’s that also have the USB wire within the ignition port,” he stated.
Hyundai and Kia dealerships are cracking down on their safety defect and providing security upgrades to automotive house owners. New know-how like Flock cameras are additionally serving to police recuperate stolen vehicles faster.
Persley stated realizing your license plate and Car Identification Quantity (VIN) is essential in your stolen automotive’s restoration.
“We’d like that info so we will instantly get it positioned into the Georgia Crime Info Middle,” he stated.
Whereas a number of automotive house owners are hoping they don’t find yourself the subsequent sufferer, others who’ve been victimized simply need solutions.
“I’m simply pissed as a result of I don’t have a automobile. All I would like is my automobile again,” the nameless girl stated.
Can automotive insurance coverage cowl automotive thefts?
Insurance coverage can shield you from automotive thefts. There’s a particular kind known as complete insurance coverage that covers the inconvenience of automotive thefts.
Full protection insurance coverage insurance policies often embody complete, collision, and legal responsibility insurance policies. In line with the Insurance coverage Info Institute, 80% of insured drivers have complete insurance coverage. For a information on auto insurance coverage, click on here.
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