Car thefts and burglaries up in Marina

A warning from Marina police: Your cars are being targeted. Police up stepping up patrols but need your help.

Adam says he isn’t worried about having his Audi stolen.

“Cars get stolen every day,” Adam said. “It’s not something I wake up thinking about.”

But it is on the minds of Marina police officers. From January to May, they’ve responded to 20 stolen car calls. In all of 2014, there were 54. They say older Honda models are being targeted the most.

It’s not just thefts rising, but burglaries as well. Police say there were 26 in April and May alone. Police say they’re trying to stop the trend in its tracks, even adjusting their schedules for more overnight shifts, when most of these crimes are happening.

“Instead of driving around,” Marina Police Commander Roberto Filice explains, “They’re actually getting out of their vehicles, parking it and doing foot patrol. Just like the good ole times when we used to foot patrol areas. They’re trying to concentrate on the areas vehicles are being stolen from and looking for anything suspicious or out of place and trying to prevent burglaries or vehicle theft.”

The undercover operations have been successful so far. Police recently made four arrests, including two who were sitting in a stolen car on Carmel Avenue. People here say they’re being vigilant.

“The best thing you can do is keep your doors locked and don’t keep valuables in your car where people can see them and give them an excuse to want to break in,” Adam said.

Marina police say, if you see something out of the ordinary or suspicious, give them a call. Even if it’s something you think is silly, let them make that decision. All it takes is one observant person to make a difference in the community.