Vehicle thefts increased within the past year, according to statistics from the St. Joseph Police Department. 

Commander Mike Wilson with the St. Joseph Police Department, said last year at this time, there were 289 vehicle thefts reported in the St. Joseph area and this year, the number is 376. 

“We do know that some people that are looking to steal a car, what they’ll do is maybe go to a convenience store and kind of look and see if somebody leaves their car running, to run in and grab a drink or something, that’s their opportunity to steal the car,” Wilson said. “Also they patrol the neighborhoods and watch when people go out in the mornings and start their cars, leave them running, things like that. Whether it’s a car they need to drive to get somewhere or it could be an opportunity for them to use that car to commit another crime or something like that, it just depends.” 

Commander Wilson said the main thing drivers should do is not leave their keys in the car or leave the car running. 

“Even if it’s just for a second and you’re going to run in somewhere, you need to turn your car off and take the keys with you.”