Canton police caution residents regarding thefts from vehicles
The holidays may be the most wonderful time of the year, but they can also be the most tempting to thieves.
Canton Township police noticed a systemic increase in thefts from vehicles and shopping carts last month, prompting police to offer warnings on social media. Police urged residents to lock their vehicles even when expecting to return quickly and to keep any valuables out of sight if leaving them in the car. Officers also cautioned shoppers to never leave purses unattended in shopping carts.
Police said the cautions were being issued in response to a series of thefts occurring across the state. Specifically, police officials said, there is a group of individuals participating in a statewide crime spree, removing purses and credit cards from shoppers inside retail stores. In one instance, a Canton woman’s purse was stolen and her credit card used to purchase about $4,000 of items, police said.
"Moral of the story: Crime happens everywhere," police said in a social media post cautioning residents. “Most vehicle break-ins are crimes of opportunity." Police reiterated that vehicles should be locked whenever the driver leaves them. In addition, police say not to leave gifts, purses, or other valuable items in an area or vehicle where they can be seen.
Canton police have requested that anyone with information about the series of larcenies in the area contact Det. Joseph Doll at Joseph.Doll@cantonmi.gov.
