Police Urge Residents to Lock Cars and Bikes

Reports of stolen bikes and thefts from unlocked cars have increased in recent weeks and the has a message for residents: lock your cars and your bikes.

Five unlocked cars on Tottenham Road, Abbey Street and Henley Street were burglarized Monday night, Birmingham police reports state. Wallets (with some cash inside), cell phones, GPS units as well as some personal property were taken from the cars.

A bike outside was stolen Saturday afternoon. According to police reports, the bike was in the bike rack, but wasn't locked. It was worth $200.

The thefts come from the and a private home. In those instances July 4-5, one bicycle was taken from the front of a home. The other was strapped to a vehicle parked in the garage, cut down and taken.

Birmingham Police Cmdr. Terry Kiernan said thefts of opportunity increase during the summer months.

"During the warmer months, thefts from open and unlocked cars tend to increase, especially during the night time hours," he said. "Preventing the majority of thefts from occurring is as simple as not leaving valuables in a vehicle and making sure your vehicle is locked and secured."

Police advise to always lock a bicycle to something stationary when leaving it unattended in a public place, as well keeping garage and entry doors locked overnight.