UCF Police sent an email to students Friday alerting them to a string of car burglaries that have occurred recently at an off-campus communities around UCF.
Students who live in the Pointe at Central have woken up in the mornings to find that their vehicles had been entered and that items were missing, police said. The vehicles were all unlocked.
“We want to remind you to lock your vehicles. Never leave any valuables in plain sight in your car, and if you are traveling with an item susceptible to theft, be sure to store it in your trunk,” UCFPD said.
Students have recently been taking to the UCF Car Club page on Facebook to alert others about thefts, including stolen car emblems, roof racks, wheels and even stolen vehicles. Students have reported wheel thefts at off-campus complexes including University House just across from campus.
“STOLEN. Late last night my locked Thule roof rack was ripped off my car and taken in parking garage E between 12:50 AM and 11 AM,” Adam LZ posted.
“The amount of recent thefts I’ve heard about lately is very upsetting. The worst part is that most parking garages only have cameras at the exit/entrance and what is that going to do?” Adam LZ said.
Several other students have posted in the group about the string of thefts.
“Hey guys I park in garage I and came back to my lugs on floor and just the wheel locks on. I have oem plasti dip rims wth! Need to stop this…” one student posted in the group.
“Roommate got his emblems stolen today at boardwalk apartment….this [is] getting out of hand,” another student posted.
In the email to students, police provided several tips to help avoid car thefts including making sure that all windows are up and that the trunk and doors are locked.
Be aware of people who look suspicious. Common behaviors of vehicle burglars include:
-Moving from vehicle to vehicle and checking door handles
-Standing out of sight and watching people enter or leave
-Looking in the windows of cars
Report any suspicious activity to UCF Police by calling 407-823-5555.
