Police seeing an increase in vehicle thefts around Lima

LIMA, OH (WLIO) - The Lima Police Department is warning residents that they have seen an increase in thefts of specific makes and models of cars within the city.

Police seeing an increase in vehicle thefts around Lima

Since the beginning of October, the department has seen more than 20 reports of stolen or attempted stolen vehicles. Most have been newer models of Kia and Hyundai vehicles. The cars are being entered by suspects by breaking a window and getting into the steering column to start the vehicle. It may surprise you who is taking off with the stolen vehicles.

Police seeing an increase in vehicle thefts around Lima

"A lot of the people who are targeting these, the suspects, are juveniles taking these cars for short periods of time joyriding in them," commented Sgt. Jason Garlock, Lima Police Department.

Garlock says they had several stolen vehicles over the Thanksgiving holiday with several juveniles taken into custody. He suggests that people with these makes of cars to park them in a garage, a well-lit area, and near any home security cameras. People are getting their cars back but with several thousands of dollars worth of damage done to them.

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