Sioux Falls Sees a Surge in Christmas Car Theft

Nine Sioux Falls residents had a very good reason to say bah humbug this Christmas. Nine different people had their vehicles stolen by car thieves over the Christmas holiday in the city.

Dakota News Now reports that the Sioux Falls Police Department received nine separate stolen vehicle reports between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

It's not uncommon to see an increase in vehicle theft during the winter months when people often leave their cars running and unlocked during cold weather days. Many of us just want to give our cars a chance to warm up and thaw out before we hop in and take off. Consequently, these unattended vehicles end up being prime targets for car thieves.

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Police told Dakota News Now that the recent car thefts are happening all over the city.

Sergent Travis Olsen with the Sioux Falls Police Department told Dakota News Now, "To be honest with you, it seems to not be specific to one area of town. It seems like it kind of goes on all over. Even in quiet, suburban-type neighborhoods.”

Motorists need to be mindful to not leave things like valuables or weapons out in the open inside an unattended car, they just end up being an open invitation for a thief.

Olsen says motorists need to be better about locking their cars and taking their keys and valuables with them if they plan on leaving their vehicles unattended.

Police are asking for the public's help in tackling the issue of car theft in the city, as Olsen says, let's not make it easy for car thieves.

Source: Dakota News Now