New Year’s Day car thieves looking to take autos

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Most people think it will never happen to them until it does.

But car thefts are on the rise–especially on New Year’s Day.

State Farm Agent Terin Smith says car thefts are a major problem for Bibb County and the nation.

“One because people are little more free spirit,” says Smith. “Maybe they forget to lock their doors or they don’t do all the precautionary things they need to do. Auto theft is a problem here in Macon but it’s also a national problem. I don’t want to say Macon is the only place that is dealing with this, auto theft is one of those things happening all across the United States.”

Forsyth Police Department is gearing up for the New Year’s holiday.

They want drivers to be mindful of how to keep their cars from being stolen or broken into.

“We asked the citizens to make sure that their vehicles are locked and they should take valuable items such as their GPS’ or their purses, or their laptops out of their vehicles and just make sure that their vehicles are locked,” says Forsyth Police Sgt. David Asbell. “Just by going and checking a vehicle that’s one way to make sure that the criminal don’t get in the vehicle.”

He says most people would be surprised to know where car thieves strike.

“Some of the areas it happens are places where there are large gatherings such as stores, or apartment complexes or even church parking lots,” he said. “Those are areas to be aware and observant especially of people moving around looking at those vehicles.”

Staying alert and being cautious are key factors to avoid being targeted.

“But crooks are looking at watching and making sure that who’s the weak link they’re looking at who can I get and who can I steal their vehicle while they’re having so much fun,” said Smith.

“If you see something say something give us a call and that would be a way of stopping this from happening,” added Asbell.