PORT ANGELES — Lock your car’s doors.
That’s the best advice Police Chief Tom Riepe can offer in light of a more than 200 percent increase in the number of car prowls in Port Angeles.
“The numbers are way, way up,” Riepe said.
“It’s the type of crime where the chances of getting caught are relatively low.”
From Aug. 1 through Oct. 31, police recorded 160 thefts from vehicles within the city limits.
Theft victims estimated their losses at more than $35,000.
Some of the items have been recovered and returned, but only about $12,000 worth, said Liz Zenonian-Waud, police records supervisor.
During the same three-month period last year, police recorded 51 incidents of thefts from vehicles for an estimated loss of about $16,000.
