Over the last few days, there has been an increase in Unlawful Breaking and Entering of Vehicles. During the last 24 hours, Cullman Police Department has worked 10 Unlawful Breaking and Entering of Vehicle calls. The majority of the calls are coming from the southwest part of Cullman. Money, purses, wallets, guns, and essentially anything of value has been stolen.
Unlawful Breaking and Entering sounds like something has been broken, NOT TRUE!! In most cases, the suspect does not want to cause a scene or be heard. Therefore they are checking to see if the vehicle is unlocked. If the vehicle is unlocked they can quickly grab your valuables and take off without being heard. If your vehicle is locked, most suspects will move on to the next vehicle. Roughly 90% of vehicle break-ins are due to unlocked vehicles.
It takes approximately 1 1/2 hours for a police officer to complete just the paperwork involved with Unlawful Breaking and Entering. This does not include the time investigation spends trying to recover your valuables. To be blunt, DO NOT BE CARELESS!!!
Here are a few tips that will not only help save you, your valuables, and even the police:
LOCK YOUR VEHICLE – if you are home, at work, shopping, or simply stopping at a convenient store to buy a drink, ALWAYS lock your vehicle.
HIDE YOUR VALUABLES – if a criminal can easily see your valuables, they will take them. Make sure you keep all valuables hidden in the trunk, glove compartment, or take them in you home.
PARK IN A WELL-LIT AREA – most criminals will not bother your vehicle if it is well lit. This makes them more visible and believe it or not, they DO NOT want to get caught.
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE RUNNING – vehicle thefts are on a rise. If your vehicle is running it is an easy target for a criminal to take.
Unlawful Breaking and Entering of Vehicle’s could essentially stop if you will follow these few important steps. Our police have a tremendous amount of work to do in order to keep us safe and keep Cullman GREAT. Please help all law enforcement by simply LOCKING UP.
Cullman Police Department Lieutenant Jeff Warnke would like to encourage all citizens if you see anything or anyone suspicious please contact your local law enforcement agency.
Cullman Police Department:
(256) 734-1434
Cullman County Sheriffs Office:
(256) 734-0342
Hanceville Police Department:
(256) 352-9811
If you feel you are in danger, please call 911
