Thieves Target Unlocked Cars, NYPD Warns

By Yehudit Garmaise

Can’t spare two seconds to turn off your car before running into a store? 

Police say that more than half the 3,151 cars that have been stolen in NYC so far in 2022 were either left running or left with keys right inside the cars.

“Right now, this is a citywide trend,” said Deputy Inspector Robert LaPollo, who is the commanding officer of the NYPD’s Auto Crime Unit. “Thieves walk up and down the streets and pull on door handles until they find a car that unlocks.

Police also reported that thieves are not picky about cars’ makes and models.

“If cars are running and left unattended or if the keys are left in them, they're going to take them,” Dep. Inspector La Polla told Spectrum News NY1.

While stolen cars are sometimes used to commit other crimes, stolen cars are often most wanted for their parts, for which the pandemic created a shortage and higher demands. 

Edward Folk, a manager at B & M Towing, said that 90% of the cars on his towing lot are recovered stolen cars that have been stripped for parts.

"You can't get parts,” said Folk, who added that everything from doors, seats and catalytic converters are not available for sale at dealerships and other suppliers.

“Thieves are probably on the Internet [or otherwise] selling stolen cars' parts," Folk said.