PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. — Car burglars have had an easy job breaking into cars recently in Prairie Village and surrounding communities, authorities said Wednesday.
According to Prairie Village Police Capt. Byron Roberson, the alleged car burglars simply walk down a street, open unlocked car doors and take anything valuable they can find.
“They’re taking IDs, which can be used for identity theft," Roberson said. "They’re taking garage door openers they can use to come back at a later time and get easy access into someone’s home."
If nothing is missing from the cars, some residents may not file an official police report. But authorities are tracking the number of thefts. So far this year in Prairie Village, 90 cars have been burglarized.
Police do not believe the burglaries are a coordinated effort. The working theory is that different individuals are working alone or with one person to break into cars.
Because of the burglaries, Prairie Village police are increasing patrols and working with neighbors to collect footage from surveillance cameras for suspect descriptions.
Roberson encouraged all Prairie Village residents to lock their car doors and keep their homes locked so criminals get the message that Prairie Village is not an easy target.
