LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Lexington Police Department said Wednesday that 1,760 thefts from vehicles have been reported from January to November 2020, including 334 firearms.
The department has also investigated more than 900 cases of stolen vehicles during the same time period.
LPD is urging residents to do their part in preventing crime by taking valuable items out of vehicles and remembering to lock the doors.
“Most of these crimes of opportunity occur because a vehicle was left unlocked or a valuable item was in plain view,” Chief Lawrence Weathers said. “Officers hear every day from victims who had wallets, expensive electronics, medication, guns, and other valuables stolen.”
LPD said the number of stolen firearms is concerning because they are rarely recovered. So far this year, only about 5% of the guns reported stolen from a vehicle in Lexington have been located.
“A stolen gun is a crime gun, and it could be used to carry out other criminal activity, such as a robbery or shooting,” Weathers said. “We’ve got to do everything we can to prevent all of these thefts from happening.”
LPD has also seen a recent uptick in thefts of vehicles that were left running. Over the past week, seven vehicles were stolen while they were running, unlocked, and unattended.
