Lincoln Police say auto thefts are up, 4 cars stolen in 45 minutes Friday morning

UPDATE:

Lincoln police said four cars were stolen in just 45 minutes Friday morning.

They said they were all left running unattended.

The department has already taken 24 reports of car thefts this year, so their advice: don’t leave your car running when you’re not in it.

“Thieves are out and they’re prowling, they’re looking for these vehicles to be left running with the keys inside,” Ofc. Angela Sands said.  “We’re encouraging people never to leave their car unattended with the key inside.”

That’s good advice year round because LPD said they’ve also seen a 26 percent increase in reported auto thefts compared to the 5–year trend.

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Lincoln Police say the number of stolen vehicles in the city has risen significantly.

Auto thefts in Lincoln are up 14 percent compared to 2017, and 26 percent when compared to the five year trend, Officer Angela Sands said. 

LPD investigated four reported auto thefts during a 45 minute span Friday morning, Sands said. 

She said two of the vehicles were recovered, and all four were left unlocked with the keys inside.