Arlington Heights police are investigating a pair of recent car thefts, both of which involved drivers who had left their keys inside the vehicle.
At around 2 p.m. on Saturday, someone stole a 2003 gray Honda Accord while the car was unlocked, unattended and running in the 400 block of Circle Hill Drive in Arlington Heights, police said.
In a second incident reported Feb. 19, police said someone stole a black 2013 Kia Optima from the parking lot in the 2400 block of east Brandenberry Court. The car was unlocked, and the car keys were left inside the vehicle, police said.
Designer apparel valued at more than $2,800 left inside the Kia Optima also was stolen during the car theft, police said.
Brandi Romag, crime prevention officer in Arlington Heights, said the police department has posted a signs warning residents to, “Hide your belongings. Take your Keys. Lock Your Car.”
“We’re cautioning residents to always take their car keys with them, as we’ve seen two car thefts in the past two weeks,” Romag said. “Maybe it’s not always practical to take everything out of your car but at least, hide your valuables in the trunk and lock your door.”
As to why any driver would leave their car keys in the vehicle, Romag said people who do so likely are in a hurry and trying to save time.
“I think many people are in a rush to do something else, but you need to be aware that there’s always someone out there who is watching you,” she said. “Arlington Heights is a safe community but if you leave your keys in the car with it running, it’s just like an invitation saying, ‘come take my car.'”
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