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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, August 1, 2014 | 8 Thieves targeting unlocked vehicles: police by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Halton police are reminding Oakville residents to lock up their vehicles or risk losing whatever valuables may be inside. Oakville Criminal Investigations Bureau Det. Eric Schwab said that with the arrival of the warm summer weather, the town has seen a hike in the incidence of thefts from automobiles. Thieves, he said, have been targeting cars that have unlocked doors and open windows. They have been making off with cash, laptops, phones, GPS units, chargers and anything else of value that has been left inside. Interlocking & Concrete Specialists WE ALSO DO LANDSCAPE DESIGN · Pebble Concrete · Stamped Concrete · Flagstone · Walkways · Garage Floors · Patios · Driveways · Curbs (French) Schwab said the problem is a town-wide one. "There is not one area I would pinpoint or any areas where it is not going on," he said. "Week to week it is almost like it shifts. Some areas become more prevalent because what happens is the people committing these crimes will focus on a specific area for a few nights and then move into the next area. Police are going to respond and they know that." Police are advising residents to park in welllit areas whenever possible and to always lock vehicle doors and windows. Valuables, including GPS and cell phone devices, should be removed from the vehicle or locked in the trunk. When parking at home, police said, residents should park in a garage if possible. And they should lock the garage. Schwab said residents should never hide spare keys inside the car and should remove garage door openers when they leave the car unattended. The office said there have been cases where the garage door opener has been stolen out of the car and then used to burglarize a residence a few days later while the homeowners are at work. Police are calling on residents to be vigilant during these summer months, but said there is no uniform way to describe those responsible for these thefts who range considerably in age and appearance. "It's all ages. It's people looking for an easy steal," said Schwab. "They're looking for unlocked doors, for valuables left on the seats. They want quick money. Those things are sold and turned over for cash." Anyone with information about these or any other criminal incidents is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers. com or by texting `Tip201' with the message to 274637 (crimes). For additional information about community concerns in Oakville, follow Halton police on Twitter @HRPSOakville. Annual shoe sale benefits OTMH programs Step-by-step, a three-day shoe and sandal sale that starts Aug. 6 will support the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH). The event will be held in the OTMH auditorium, 327 Reynolds St. Men's, women's and children's footwear will be available in all sizes and FIFTH ANNUAL Tel: 905.842.7171 Call Mario · sunmarlandscape.com widths for up to 75 per cent off -- only cash is accepted and all sales are final. The sale runs: Wednesday, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday (Aug. 7), 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Friday (Aug. 8), 8:30-11:30 a.m. For more information, call 905-338-4669. AWARDS Hope Your favourite businesses, services, entertainers, people and more! Readers Selection Voted by you! Halton Women's Place Healthy Relationships · Healthy Communities IN HIGH HEELS Men walking to end violence against women Sunday September 28th - Downtown Oakville Centennial Square, (Corner of Lakeshore Rd. E & Navy St.) Registration Fee: $30 High School Student Registration Fee: $10 Men -- the shoes WILL fit! www.haltonwomensplace.com 10am Registration 11am Walk Light Lunch for All Participants! Call Carm Bozzo, Development Mgr 905-332-1200 ext. 222 cbozzo@haltonwomensplace.com Good for the Sole Sponsor Lunch Sponsor Media Sponsor OND DIAM GOLD VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITES NOW! online at www.oakvillereaderschoice.com