Car thefts are on the rise in St. Paul and police are warning both drivers and criminals.
Last month alone, police say 166 vehicles were taken. 57 had keys in the ignition, and 44 vehicles were running while they were taken.
During the colder months, police say car thefts usually increase. Many people leave their cars running before heading outside into the frigid weather, but Sergeant Jason Brubaker of the Saint Paul Police Department warns not to do that. Thefts are happening all over the city and no neighborhood is immune to it.
"When you look at our stats of what's being taken, it's not worth having that vehicle run at 5 or 10 minutes," Sgt. Brubaker said.
To fight this problem, Saint Paul Police is using cars to catch thieves. It's part of an ongoing program within the department.
Police park cars throughout the city. If someone tries to steal it, they're caught on camera. Dispatchers can then lock the person in the car and turn off the engine.
Sgt. Brubaker says in the past four to five years, at least 30 bait cars have been taken.
With this program, police are sending out two messages. For drivers: Don't leave your keys in your car and don't leave your car running unattended. For would-be criminals: Think twice before stealing a vehicle.
Sgt. Brubaker says the three most common brands of vehicles stolen are Hondas, Toyotas and Fords, especially models from the 1990s. This is because these models were easier for thieves to get into.
Police most recently worked with Maplewood police on this operation. Sgt. Brubaker says his department is looking to work with other agencies in the future, including Ramsey County and Roseville.
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