Associated Press
DENVER (AP) - A sharp increase in auto thefts across the metro area has police asking residents to be more careful.
Aurora reported a 36 percent increase in auto thefts in 2001 over the previous year. Denver had a 23 percent increase and Lakewood reported a jump of 14 percent.
“An unlocked car is like leaving your jewelry on your driveway overnight,” Aurora police Sgt. Tom Boyle said Wednesday.
Denver police Sgt. Paul Selander, head of Denver’s 10 auto theft detectives, said: “Until we can take opportunity out of the equation, rates will continue to increase.”
Last year in Denver, police received 6,848 auto-theft reports, up more than 1,700 from the previous year.
Aurora had 2,848 auto thefts last year, 354 more than in 2000; and Lakewood had 1,006 auto thefts in 2001, up from 783 the previous year.
A combination of tougher penalties for car thieves and car owners’ common sense or use of anti-theft devices would help reduce rates, Selander said.
The Denver Police Department said the rise in auto thefts help drive a 12 percent increase in overall crime in the city.
Nearly 3,000 violent crimes - homicides, sexual assaults, robbery and aggravated assault - were reported in Denver, an increase of 8 percent from 2000, police said.
Authorities said the increase might be due in part to the economic downturn. More diligent reporting also could have led to higher figures, police said.
Property crimes in Denver rose 14 percent from 2000 to 2001; arson fell 4.2 percent; burglary rose 11.7 percent; and larceny was up 12.2 percent.