MLPD increasing patrols to prevent car thefts

MOSES LAKE - As temperatures drop, it's not uncommon for someone to leave a vehicle running unattended in the morning before heading to work. But several people in Grant County come back to find their car stolen.

Moses Lake police are reminding residents if a vehicle is left running unattended, it needs to be locked. Several vehicles have been stolen in the past few weeks when someone heads inside after leaving their car running and unlocked.

"What they're doing is, they're creating an opportunity for these people to take the vehicle," Police Chief Dave Ruffin said.

On Saturday morning, a woman left her vehicle running and someone stole the car while she was inside, according to the sheriff's office.

About two weeks ago, a woman in Moses Lake went inside to grab her coffee and returned to find her car stolen. Officers were able to track down and recover the vehicle, according to police reports.

Ruffin said vehicles need to be locked and while it's much easier for new vehicles with key fobs, owners of older vehicles should have a spare key if they are going to leave their vehicle running.

Moses Lake police will be conducting extra patrols in the morning hours when people are typically heading to work, Ruffin said. The reported vehicle thefts to this point have been in the morning hours.

It is also against the law to leave a vehicle running unattended and unlocked.