By: Sharon Aron Baron

Over 20 auto thefts have been reported just this year alone and Coral Springs Police are asking residents to be vigilant about keeping their property safe from thieves.

According to Sergeant DeRosa, the auto thefts have occurred along the Coral Ridge corridor from Atlantic Boulevard to Wiles Road and crooks are targeting all makes and models. Most thefts have occurred late Monday night or early Tuesday morning, and the majority are crimes of opportunity where owners have left spare keys inside of their vehicles.

Even if you are locking your doors, hi-tech thieves can still get in without breaking a window or forcing the lock. The National Insurance Crime Bureau are reporting thieves using a “mystery device” that’s made up of two units. The first unit catches your key fob’s signal and relays it to the second unit. Whoever is holding the device can go up to your car and your car will think its reading your key fob, unlocking the doors.

What can you do?  If you can’t park in your garage, install cameras on your home.  They are inexpensive and are a good deterrent. Park your car in a well-lit area. Never leave their car doors unlocked or valuables inside, and call police if you see anything suspicious.