Car thefts up in Colorado Springs, officials advising caution

Colorado Springs police are warning drivers to beware of car thefts.

According to police spokesman Lt. Howard Black, there has been a 33.9% increase in thefts since last year. The number of incidents has also gone up 14.7% in the past five years.

“In a lot of these cases it’s a crime of opportunity. You have folks walking down the street and there’s a car that’s running. They jump into the car, they go to wherever they’re headed and they leave the car,” said Black.

Black advises to not leave your keys in your car while warming up, and says this is the most common way thieves take cars.

We’ll have more information this story on KRDO NewsChannel 13 at 5 p.m.