CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – In law enforcement, we often expound our theories and points of view as to what burglars are looking for.

Our detectives recently had an opportunity to interview an “admitted vehicle burglar” who was willing to share “Thievery 101” tips from their perspective.

The vehicle burglar was charged for his involvement in vehicle burglaries* but was willing to provide us with some insight into what they look for: Apartment complexes were good targets due to many cars in one area, plus there are not usually many surveillance cameras like in subdivisions.

Vehicle burglars would go to subdivisions as well but would park on the roadway and then venture out looking for unlocked vehicles. In one apartment complex off of Jack Miller Blvd, they went through and came up empty-handed since they could not find one unlocked vehicle.

He generally did not check to look specifically for valuables before checking to see if it was unlocked. He said others would check to see if there was anything of value inside first before trying to make entry.

Another reason unlocked vehicles were popular, oftentimes people would not realize items are missing or just not call the police. They would enter vehicles and minimize disturbance to the interior.

They would steal vehicles when keys were left inside. On average, they would enter about 30 vehicles a night.

When asked whether he had ever broken into a locked vehicle, He said “no” and started laughing. He said, there are too many left unlocked.

When asked what is the best way for citizens to protect themselves. He said, “lock their doors.”

The information which was provided isn’t absolute and does not apply to all cases, but it is supported by the vast amount of vehicle burglaries that have occurred to unlocked vehicles, as well as stolen vehicles that had keys left in them.

Out of the 865 incidents of vehicle burglaries and 491 incidents of stolen vehicles for 2019, a conservative estimate of vehicles burglarized or stolen while unlocked or have no signs of forced is 75 to 80 percent.

 

*The person pictured in the photo is not the same vehicle burglar mentioned in the article.