Las Cruces Police report increase in car burglaries

Police say there has been a huge spike in auto burglaries in Las Cruces this week, including 17 on the same street in a single night.

“To have fifty in a week – that’s something,” said Dan Trujillo, a spokesman for the Las Cruces Police Department.

Investigators learned all of the vehicles burglarized were left unlocked by the owner.

“For the most part, people are just walking by on the sidewalks, or in the streets, they’re checking door handles,” Trujillo said. “If the door’s open, they’ll get in the vehicle, and once they’re in the vehicle, it only takes them, you know, ten seconds, to rummage through and find something of value.”

Police say 17 vehicles were burglarized on the 3000 block of Devandale in North Las Cruces.

The car burglars reportedly stole money, small electronics and clothing.

“People are checking the door handles, and entering the vehicle,” Trujillo said.

Police are urging car owners to hide valuables left inside vehicles, roll up their windows and lock the doors.

“Don’t leave valuables in your vehicle,” Trujillo said. “Don’t leave things that could be perceived as valuables in your vehicle, such as backpacks, shopping bags, things like that.”