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Wheeling Police: Unlocked Vehicles Make Easy Targets

Wheeling Island has been a prime target for criminals entering vehicles as many people fail to lock their cars, and sometimes even leave their keys in the vehicles. Photo by Scott McCloskey

WHEELING — Since Oct. 1, Wheeling police have responded to 22 calls of vehicles being entered, most of which were unlocked.

Five vehicles have been stolen since Oct. 1, with several owners leaving the keys in their cars and trucks.

Wheeling Police Department Public Information Officer Philip Stahl said officers are responding to at least a call each day concerning vehicles being entered.

“This is a constant issue for the department,” Stahl said. “When we get a report of a car being entered, rarely has someone broken a window or damaged the car because most of the vehicles are unlocked. We’ve had several cars stolen with keys being left in the cars.”

“Some of these crimes are self-inflicted,” Stahl added.

He said at this time of the year with holiday shopping, criminals won’t hesitate to check door handles and rummage through vehicles to take valuables such as loose change, cellphones, cellphone chargers and Christmas gifts.

Since Oct. 1, five vehicles have been stolen citywide with four of them recovered.

Elm Grove and Wheeling Island have been prime targets for thieves. Seven vehicles reportedly were entered in Elm Grove while six vehicles were targeted on Wheeling Island since Oct. 1. East, Center and South Wheeling experienced a total of five vehicles entered. Warwood has had two reported case of vehicles entered while Woodsdale and the downtown business district reported one each.

Vehicles were reported stolen as follows: two from Elm Grove; one each from Woodsdale, downtown and East Wheeling.

“The key message is lock your car. Hit the key fob twice so you hear that it locked. Just like your house, lock your car every night,” Stahl said.

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