Lake County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Frank Leonbruno issued the following announcement on Oct. 29.
Stolen Vehicles increasing throughout Northeast Ohio and becoming more violent
Back on September 18th we posted the safety advisement concerning stolen vehicles throughout our area. As an update to that release, these thefts are increasing and becoming more dangerous. Tuesday morning a Laketran worker was confronted in the early morning hours by three young males. They demanded her car keys and assaulted her. Fortunately, she was able to get inside the building and the youths fled. Last night in Painesville city on Greenfield Lane in Heisley Park two (2) males carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint (both males were armed). The vehicle was spotted on Rt. 2 where the males abandoned the vehicle in the pursuit near Rt. 306 and fled from the car. One male was caught but the other evaded capture. However, both guns were recovered at the scene.
From information obtained working with law enforcement across Northeast Ohio it appears groups our coming out to the suburbs from the inner city ( many are very young ) to steal vehicles. They empty from a transport car and flood the area looking for open cars with the keys inside. They also are quick to look for garage door openers left inside the vehicles to gain quick access to garages for either additional vehicles or valuables.
We want everyone to be aware and alert. Do not leave your vehicles unlocked at any time. Don’t leave your keys in vehicles. And, don’t leave your garage door openers easily available.
What is common in most of these thefts and encounters is that keys were left in the unlocked vehicles, and that these thefts often occur early morning hours between 3am and 7am.
Based on the two incidents in our area the past two days we want to make sure everyone is extra cautious. Area law enforcement is investigating these most recent incidents, but we felt it critical to get out this information today.
If you have any information regarding these vehicle thefts, please contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at (440)350-5620 and ask to speak with a Deputy Sheriff. You can also use our Sheriffsapp (available on the App Store at Lake County OH) to submit an anonymous tip.
Sheriff Frank Leonbruno
Original source can be found here.
Source: Lake County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Frank Leonbruno
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