Auto thefts, burglaries on the rise since start of year

By ROB LARSON
Daily Press Staff Writer
Since the beginning of the year, Artesia has been subject to a slew of incidents involving either stolen cars or auto burglaries, many of which occurred as the result of having the car doors unlocked.
“The Artesia Police Department takes each one of these calls and cases seriously,” Sgt. Lindell Smith of the APD said. “It is disheartening to think that some members of society can place no value on another’s property or hold it in such high regard that they take it unlawfully as if it were their own.” … For the rest of the story, subscribe in print and on the web.
According to an APD press release, the police have been informed of at least seven cases of auto theft in the past month that are the direct results of citizens leaving their cars unlocked in their driveways or nearby street to warm up. Several of the vehicles were recovered without any damage, but some were discovered in places as far away as Texas. The stolen vehicles have included: a 2008 Dodge four door, 2002 Dodge SUV, 2003 Chevrolet Pickup, 1995 Ford Pickup, 2008 Ford Pickup, 2005 Ford Pickup and a 2002 Toyota SUV.