The Columbus Police Department is urging residents to remove valuable items from their vehicles and lock those vehicles after a recent spike in thefts.
Since March 1, there have been 47 reported thefts from vehicles in Columbus and Bartholomew County, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
During that time, more than 50 percent of those thefts have been classified as forced, as in the car window was broken or the vehicle was damaged to gain access to the valuables inside, Harris said.
In three of those thefts, an unsecured firearm was stolen, Harris said.
Typically, more than 95 percent of thefts from vehicles in Columbus occur when the vehicle is unlocked, he said.
Columbus Police Chief Jon Rohde reminded local residents to take a couple of extra seconds and make sure all valuable items are secured and out of sight in vehicles and that the vehicle is locked.
