Is my vehicle safe from a break in Columbia? Police report series of break-ins
If you live and own a vehicle in South Columbia, you may want to take extra precautions as a number of car break-ins have been reported in the area, according to police.
Property crime investigators with the Columbia Police Department have reported a surge of auto break-ins at multiple neighborhoods in the city’s southern region, according to a news release. Police are actively reviewing surveillance video and photos to identify suspects.
On Feb. 28 and March 7, in the King’s Grant and Yorkshire areas, several vehicles were broken into, according to the release. Police suspect the break-ins occurred overnight and are working to determine if the same suspects were responsible, who stole “miscellaneous items” from the cars.
As a preventive measure, Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook encourages residents to “partner” with officers by checking their doorbell and security cameras toward helping to identify suspects.
Victims of a car burglary or those with footage of suspected burglars should contact the Columbia Police Department’s non-emergency number at (803) 252-2911 and request that an officer respond to their home.
Meanwhile, police encourage car owners to adhere to the following safety tips:
- Lock doors and windows;
- remove or hide valuables;
- remove vehicles keys;
- don’t leave spare keys inside vehicles;
- invest in a security alarm;
- secure firearms in a locked box or case;
- never leave a firearm in plain view;
- report gun theft to police; and
- report a vehicle break-in.
