An increase in the number of iPod thefts and incidents of automobile vandalism, particularly within the University community, has prompted police attention, according to a Charlottesville Police press release. Specifically, these are reports of larcenies in which car windows were broken and iPods were stolen from inside the car, the release stated.
"Often, people have found someone has used a rock to break a window," said Charlottesville Police Lieutenant Ronnie Roberts.
According to the report, as many as six people were victims of vandalism and iPod theft during one evening.
Car locks are not an effective source of prevention, as most thefts have occurred in locked cars with iPods in plain view, Roberts said.
According to Roberts, the best way to keep iPods safe is to remove them from cars once they are parked, even if a car is parked at home. Leaving an iPod in plain view in a car provides a temptation for thieves, Roberts said.
While every iPod owner is a potential victim, the crimes have mainly occurred in the University area.
"They have been focusing around the areas where students live," Roberts said.
Students are more likely targets because criminals know they are the demographic that owns more iPods, Roberts said.
-- compiled by Andy Mullan
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