CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Cheektowaga Police Department has issued a warning to residents about a recent uptick in stolen vehicles.
According to police, from October 1 to December 1 there were 33 reports of stolen vehicles. During that same time period the previous year there were just six reports of stolen vehicles.
Police say on December 1 alone there were three reports of stolen vehicles. The reports were all within the 6 a.m. hour and all from residents in the Cleveland Hill area.
"Two of these vehicles were left running with the keys in them as the residents were warming them up before leaving for work. The third vehicle had a spare set of keys left inside the vehicle," a release states.
Police are making residents aware these crimes are taking place and reminding them to keep their vehicles locked at all times and to not leave keys in the car. Officials say leaving an unattended vehicle running with keys inside is a violation of NYS vehicle and traffic law.
