Vehicle thefts in Charles County are down. But, this is the time of year when car thieves are on the prowl, looking for vehicles that are left unattended and warming up. And, it’s exactly the reason why the Charles County Sheriff’s Office is reminding car owners who leave their vehicles unattended and running (with the keys in the ignition) that doing so is a violation of the law and carries a $70 fine.
Overall, the Sheriff’s Office has made significant progress in reducing motor vehicle thefts but during the winter months, officers typically encounter more incidents in which cars are stolen simply because the keys were left in the ignition as it was warming. “We understand getting into a cold car is miserable, but it’s important to remember by eliminating the opportunity, we can prevent a lot of thefts,” said Sheriff Rex W. Coffey.
For more safety tips, visit the Sheriff’s Office’s Web site, www.ccso.us.