We’ve provided some theft from auto prevention and personal safety tips so you can avoid becoming a victim.

Theft from auto prevention tips:
1. Lock your car and set your car’s alarm.
2. Don’t leave a second ignition key hidden in your car. It’s surprising to learn how many people
believe a thief will never find their “hidden key” when the victim reports their car stolen to the
police.
3. Secure your valuables in your vehicle’s trunk before arriving at your shopping destination. Items
such as back-packs, work out bags, computer cases and automobile navigation devices can be
tempting to a thief who wanders a mall parking lot looking in unoccupied vehicles for easy to
steal items.
4. When shopping, take advantage of a store’s parcel pick-up. Many of the large retail stores allow
their guests to store their purchases at a package pick-up site for later pick-up. If you must
secure shopping gifts in your car, place them in your vehicle’s trunk. Once secure, drive your
vehicle to another parking location, park and return to your shopping. Police have learned
thieves watch mall parking lots for shoppers who make trips to their car, secure their purchases
and return to shopping. Once the shopper has returned to the mall, the thief breaks into the car
and steals your just purchased merchandise.
5. Remove all portable electronic cables from view before leaving your vehicle. Thieves look for
visible USB cables or charging devices and break into the vehicle looking for portable devices in
a glove box or console.
6. Remember the only thing protecting your car’s valuable property from a bad guy is a very thin
sheet of glass!

Theft and personal safety tips:
1. Carry only the cash and credit/debit cards you need for your shopping outing. If you must carry
large amounts of cash, do so discreetly. Don’t advertise your cash by openly counting your
money in your wallet or purse. Do not carry your Social Security card. If you lose your wallet
containing your driver’s license and social security card, you WILL become a victim of
identification theft.
2. When walking, do so with purpose and keep your eyes up and scan your surroundings.
3. Don’t walk and talk on your cellular phone and/or wear a head-set to listen to music. The phone
and music can be a distraction to your surroundings. When suspects are interviewed by police
and asked why he chose his/her victim, in nearly all cases, the victim is chosen because he/she
was distracted with a phone or music device. Criminals want the electronic distraction so they
are able to quickly approach their intended target without being heard.
4. If someone asks to borrow your cellular phone, do so with great caution. Police are beginning to
take theft reports from victims who loaned their $300-$600 smart phones to complete strangers
who then run off with the phone. If asked by a stranger to use their phone, ask if they need help
and you will call “911” to have the police assist. Otherwise point them to a nearby business with
directions to ask the business to use their phone.
Finally if you see or hear suspicious activity, report it immediately to the police. If you are in any
danger, leave the area immediately and once in a safe location call the police. If you are able, use your smart phone to capture images of suspicious vehicles/persons and share those images with police.
The Roseville Police Department wishes everyone a safe holiday and happy new year. The department hopes these theft prevention and safety tips will make you more aware and your holiday experience a safe one!