By Brady Toone
Seven cars were burglarized Thursday night (May 3 2007) at Parkway Crossing, an apartment complex in southwest Orem, following the burglary of two vehicles near University Mall the day before.
Officers were summoned to Parkway Crossing Thursday night when one burglary was reported. Upon arrival, officers found that an additional six cars had been burglarized.
More than $450 in cash was stolen from the vehicles as well as other items, police said.
On Wednesday, a woman reported her car was burglarized while she was shopping at Big 5 Sports at 1850 S. State in Orem.
When she returned to her vehicle, she found her window had been smashed with a rock and her purse had been taken. The woman had her wallet in her possession.
An employee of Carrabbas Italian Grill at 683 E. University Parkway returned to her locked car after work to find her car stereo had been stolen.
Sgt. Richard Dewey of the Provo Police Department said many people simply don''t realize that auto burglaries happen regularly.
'Be aware that there are dishonest people out there who are looking for an easy target,' Dewey said. 'You''ve got to be proactive to protect yourself.'
Dewey said although it''s a simple concept, locking doors is the best way to protect a vehicle.
Lt. Mike Harroun of University Police said students have reported suspicious individuals going from car to car on campus checking for unlocked doors.
Harroun also said valuables should not be stored in vehicles where they are visible. He said to put valuables in the trunk, or where possible, don''t leave them in the car at all.
Even pocket change left in plain sight has been known to provoke an auto burglary, Harroun said.
Harroun recommends that when parking a car, think like a thief - imagine what someone might want to steal and act accordingly.
Dewey said if students have a nice car stereo, turn down the volume before nearing a parking spot. This way they would be less likely to attract additional attention.