LPD: Lock your vehicles to prevent gun theft

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Lexington Police Department is urging people to lock their cars and trucks to keep guns from landing in the wrong hands.

Police report, since 2015, 745 firearms have been reported stolen from vehicles in Lexington.

Only about 20% of those guns have been confirmed recovered.

According to police, there have been several examples of guns being stolen from cars or trucks and used in crimes:

– November 2018: Lexington Police say a Taurus revolver reported stolen in October was used in a shooting. The gun was stolen from an SUV that was accidentally left unlocked.

– October 2018: Three 15-year-old robbery suspects were found in possession of a Kel-Tec P-11 9mm handgun. The gun had been reported stolen out of a vehicle in 2009 in New Hanover County, North Carolina.

– July 2018: Officers recovered a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol related to a shooting. The weapon had been reported stolen from an unlocked truck in March.

– June 2018: A 16-year-old was charged with theft of a firearm after officers caught him allegedly checking car door handles. They say a Taurus .40-caliber handgun was in his bag.

Police say thefts from vehicles are one of the most common crimes in Lexington, with 2,657 reported last year.

2015     2016     2017     2018*
Thefts from motor vehicle:      2,834    3,137     2,657    1,988
Firearms stolen from vehicle:    159      181        222      183

*Through October 31, 2018

In addition to firearms, other valuables frequently reported stolen through a break-in include purses, cash, checkbooks, credit cards, laptops and mobile devices, jewelry, and medication.

Police say thefts from vehicles are easy to prevent by not leaving valuables in the vehicle and always locking car doors.

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