Willow Glen Resident

News

Auto thefts are up 30 percent, more than 7,400 vehicles stolen

By Eli Segall

Car thefts are on the rise throughout San Jose.

More than 7,400 vehicles were reported stolen in San Jose in 2006--a 30 percent increase over 2005, according to police crime statistics.

In Willow Glen, 456 cars were stolen last year, according to police crime statistics.

While this number ranks near the bottom when compared to East San Jose, which accounted for the highest number of reports with 916 cars stolen, some neighborhood residents have taken notice of the increase .

"This is the worse it's ever been," said Don Whiting, who has lived off Camden Avenue for 10 years. "We've just been inundated with theft."

Whiting and his wife, Sheli, say they have witnessed the theft of vehicles left running to warm up the engine. In the past year, this has occurred twice on their street.

San Jose Police Sgt. Scott Marsh, head of the city's auto theft detail unit, says authorities suspect most car thefts are committed by juveniles although there are no official figures to support this.

The most frequently stolen cars in San Jose are Hondas and Toyota Camrys, especially those made between the 1980s and early 1990s, Marsh said. These vehicles are targeted because they're easily started without a key, he said.

Newer cars are left alone, as they typically have built-in GPS tracking systems, Marsh said, adding that preventing car thefts is tough, but it is possible to minimize one's risk.

"Whatever you can do to harden the target will help," said Marsh, who suggested purchasing The Club, a car alarm or parking in a driveway with lights. "Nothing is foolproof."