Arlington County, as well as the region, is experiencing a rash in GPS thefts from vehicles. Ensure them that we are all committed to investigating and solving these crimes but we need their assistance. A majority of these cases involve items of value that were left in plain sight or evidence that the vehicle may contain something of value. Specifically, a GPS unit attached to the windshield by suction cup mount or the GPS unit is concealed from common observation but the mount and charging cables are still in plain view alerting the thieves that there could be a unit in there. It does not matter if the doors are locked, trends have shown us that if the thieves think a device is in the car, they will break in.

We offer the following tips to safegaurd thier property-

1) Do not leave GPS, Ipods, cellphones etc.. in the vehicle period.
2) Do not leave accessories for these devices visible that would raise their curiosity.
3) Record all serial numbers of your personal electronics and store them in a safe place.
4) Use passwords on your personal electronics, if so equipped (makes equipment less resalable hence less desirable).
5) Maintain a healthy level of awareness and always report suspicious activity.

Thank you,

Detective Chris Dengeles
Arlington Police Department
Auto Theft Unit/
U.S. Marshal's Stolen Auto Task Force
1425 N. Courthouse Road
Arlington, VA 22201
703-228-4233 desk
703-228-4176 fax
cdenge@arlingtonva.us

From: Kathryn Rounds
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 3:06 PM
Subject: Arlington County Police News Release: Arlington Police Arrest
Suspects in Series of Vehicle Break-ins

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2008
MEDIA CONTACT: John Lisle, 703-228-4311; Katie Rounds, 703-228-4331

Arlington Police Arrest Suspects in Series of Vehicle Break-ins;
Thieves Took GPS Units, iPods & Other Electronic Devices

ARLINGTON, VA. - Officers with the Arlington County Police Department
have arrested two suspects in a series of vehicle break-ins. The
suspects were apprehended today in the Aurora Highlands neighborhood
after a foot pursuit.

This morning, police received numerous reports of two men tampering with
autos in the area of S. Four Mile Run Drive and Walter Reed Drive.
Officers responded to the area and a lookout was broadcast for a vehicle
that was possibly involved in the incidents.

A short time later, an Arlington Police Officer and a Sheriff's Deputy
spotted the vehicle heading northbound on I-395. The suspect vehicle
crashed into a guardrail on the highway and the suspects then fled on
foot. They were found hiding inside an apartment building in the 1100
block of Army Navy Drive and taken into custody without incident.

Officers recovered numerous electronic devices on the suspects and in
their vehicle. Detectives with the Auto Theft Unit are now
investigating the incidents, and charges are pending against the two
suspects.

The Police Department would like to thank the Arlington County Sheriff's
Office for it's assistance in the apprehension of the suspects.



--30--


Detective K. Rounds
Media Relations Office
Arlington County Police Department
1425 N. Courthouse Road
Arlington, VA 22201
703-228-4331

GPS_Arrests_4.JPG (51 Kb, 5693 downloads)