COPLEY, Ohio — Several police departments in Northeast Ohio are warning residents to lock the doors of their cars and homes when they are unattended, after seeing a rash of thefts in recent weeks.
Police in Copley say two cars were recently stolen from the Wedgewood neighborhood, one on Wyndham Way, and another on Meadow Wood Lane. Officers caught one suspect stealing items from an unlocked car, while on routine patrol.
"They'll come 2, 3, 4, or 5 in a car, and they'll get out of the car, and thieves will get out of the neighborhoods, trying the car doors on cars parked in the driveways," said Copley Police Chief Michael Mier. "We make it easy for them when we don't lock our doors."
On a warm summer evening, Trushita Patel would normally go for a walk in her neighborhood, and leave her garage door open.
But not anymore.
"This neighborhood is pretty good, so it's kind of scary," said Patel of the recent thefts in Copley.
The cities of Brecksville and Shaker Heights also posted warnings for residents on Facebook. Shaker Heights Police said officers recently arrested Mickey Bradley, 51, of Cleveland, who police say is a suspect in multiple neighborhood thefts. During the detectives' interview of Bradley, police say he offered tips on what makes an easy target. The department posted advice on how to secure your home, with the title, "Tips from a Career Criminal."
It includes, "He will only break a car or garage window if he can see valuable property inside." And that bicycles and landscaping equipment are targeted because they're easy to re-sell.
It also says, "The preferred target home: Interior lights on, blinds open, and no exterior lights.
Chief Mier also warns that thieves will sometimes only swipe car keys or garage door openers from unlocked cars. Owners may think they've misplaced the items, but thieves have plans to return and break into the home.
Meanwhile, the Lima Police Department has joined the social media movement, #9pmRoutine, as a way to urge residents to get into the routine of locking their doors every night at 9:00. Every evening, they post Facebook reminders at 9:00 p.m., including catchy memes.
The "9 pm Routine" movement appears to have begun in 2016, and is used by police departments and communities across the country to raise awareness.