Is your vehicle at risk of being stolen in Madison? Take this handy quiz to find out!
- Do you drive your own vehicle or a work vehicle in our city on any days of the week ending in the letter “Y”?
- Have you or your family members ever absentmindedly left your vehicle unlocked or your garage door open or your keys stuck in the front door?
- Have you ever left your vehicle running unattended “for just a minute” to run back into your house for something you forgot or because you wanted to grab a coffee or take-out order or pick up your kids from daycare?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, your vehicle IS at risk!
Winter is the peak of stolen auto season because so many of us like to warm up our vehicles to help thaw the ice off the windshield or make the interior less chilly. And if we’re only gone for a minute why shut off our vehicle? Could someone really steal it that fast (yes they could and they have done that to victims all over the city)?
While some autos that are stolen in Madison are hot-wired, the majority are taken because either the engine was already running, or the keys were easily accessible, or both. So how can you prevent auto theft?
- Always take your keys with you any time you exit your vehicle.
- Don’t leave your garage remote or spare keys in your vehicle.
- Always lock your vehicle (even when it’s parked in your garage), and it’s also helpful to adopt a lock-up routine (9pm Routine) to make sure your home, garage and vehicles are all secured before you turn in at night.
- Don’t store your keys near an outer door. If you DO forget to lock a door you don’t want thieves to have easy access to your vehicle keys (or purse, wallet, laptop or other valuables).
- Call 911 if you notice suspicious behavior (someone checking car door handles in your neighborhood).
Many of the thieves stealing autos are also the same people breaking into neighbors’ houses and speeding and driving recklessly on our city streets and on the Beltline. If you keep your vehicle locked and only running when attended you will be helping to cut down on these crimes and behaviors.
You can also help someone get their stolen auto back. If you notice an unfamiliar vehicle parked on your street for more than 48 hours you can call Parking Enforcement and have them check to see if it’s stolen (608-266-4624).
Finally, to give you an idea of the scope of the problem, here are a few notable stolen auto incidents from just the last 10 days in Madison (this list is not comprehensive):
11/15 West: Stolen Auto – 2:21 p.m. A vehicle was reported stolen from a residence. The vehicle was left unlocked with the key in it. A loaded gun was in the vehicle. Attempt to locate aired. The vehicle was listed as stolen in the appropriate databases.
11/16 East: Recovered/Stolen Auto – 1:23 a.m. A stolen vehicle was located/recovered in the Stein Ave/Sinykin Circle area. Owner notified.
11/16 Midtown: Recovered/Stolen Auto – 8:12 a.m. A stolen vehicle was located/recovered near Crawford Drive/Helene Parkway. The owner was notified.
11/16 Midtown: Recovered/Stolen Auto – 8:56 a.m. A stolen vehicle (from Missouri) was located/recovered unoccupied on Odana Rd.
11/16 East: Stolen Auto – 11:22 a.m. A vehicle was reported stolen from a parking lot of a business. The vehicle was left unlocked with the keys in it.
11/16 West: Recovered/Stolen Auto – 9:45 p.m. A stolen vehicle from Chicago was located unoccupied on Tempe Drive. Chicago PD contacted. Vehicle towed.
11/17 East: Recovered/Stolen Auto – 11:29 a.m. A stolen vehicle (from Stoughton) was located/recovered on Blossom Lane.
11/17 East: Stolen Auto – 4:41 p.m. A vehicle was stolen from a parking lot. The vehicle was left running, unlocked and unattended.
11/17 Midtown: Stolen Auto – 10:30 a.m. A delivery driver’s vehicle was stolen on Atticus Way. Keys left in the vehicle. Attempt to locate aired. The vehicle was listed as stolen in the appropriate databases.
11/18 South: Recovered Stolen Auto – 1:03 pm. State Patrol attempted to stop a stolen vehicle spotted in the area of Henry Vilas Zoo. The vehicle fled the stop, driving recklessly southbound on S Park St. Madison officers stopped the vehicle in the 2200 block of Cypress Way where the suspect/driver (20-year-old male) fled on foot but was apprehended. The suspect was charged with obstructing an officer and fleeing.
11/19 Central: Recovered/Stolen Vehicle – 9:28 p.m. An officer on routine patrol observed a vehicle in the 200 block of W Gilman St that was reported stolen out of Chicago. The vehicle was towed by Schmidt’s. The registered owner was notified.
11/19 Central: Recovered/Stolen Vehicle – 10:07 p.m. Officers located a vehicle that a rental company had reported overdue. The vehicle was towed by Schmidt’s.
11/20 East: Stolen Auto – 1:19 a.m. A victim reported he was delivering pizza when his car was stolen. Attempt to locate aired. The vehicle was listed as stolen in the appropriate databases.
11/20 South: Recovered/Stolen Vehicle – 1:36 p.m. A stolen vehicle was located/recovered on Luann Lane. Registered owner notified.
11/21 East: Traffic Incident – 8:19 a.m. Officers responded to a crash involving a stolen vehicle occupied by 4 juveniles at Stoughton Rd/Buckeye Rd. The juveniles attempted to flee on foot. Three of the juveniles were apprehended (15-year-old male, 14-year-old male and 15-year-old female). Driver of the victim vehicle sustained minor injuries. Numerous charges for the juveniles.
11/21 Central: Stolen Auto – 8:22 a.m. A vehicle was reported stolen from a residence. Attempt to locate aired. The vehicle was listed as stolen in the appropriate databases.
11/22 West: Stolen Auto – 9:56 a.m. A vehicle was reported stolen from a residential driveway. Attempt to locate aired. The vehicle was listed as stolen in the appropriate databases.
11/22 West: Stolen Auto – 9:39 p.m. Officers were initially dispatched to a motor vehicle vs. building crash. Upon arrival contact was made with two subject/suspects (16-year-old female and 13-year-old male) in the vehicle who reported they found the vehicle unlocked and were just cold so they let themselves in. Registered owner of the vehicle contacted and they confirmed the vehicle was stolen. The female suspect was arrested for operating a motor vehicle without consent. The male suspect was referred for operating a motor vehicle without consent (passenger) and released to his parents.
11/22 East: Stolen Auto – 9:46 p.m. An officer came upon an unoccupied vehicle that had crashed into a light pole. Registered owner contacted who reported the vehicle was stolen.