NILES — The Niles Police Department is advising residents to keep their cars locked and the keys in their possession, following a rash of car thefts across the city since January.

According to Niles Captain Kevin Kosten, records indicate that city police have responded to four times the number of thefts in comparison to this time last year. Eight car thefts have been reported, including four that took place last week. Last year at this time, Kosten said two car thefts had been reported.

Kosten said there are glaring similarities in all the thefts. Each vehicle stolen this year was unlocked with keys left in the car. 

“It’s kind of a concerning pattern,” Kosten said. “These are opportunity crimes, and they are not necessarily targeting any one person or location. They’re rifling through cars, and if they have the keys there, they decide to take them.”

Kosten said the police department had not made any arrests leading to the apprehension of the suspects.   

“Most of the time, no one sees [the thefts] occurring, so we don’t have a good description,” Kosten said. “Most of the time that these [thefts] are discovered, they are discovered hours if not a day or so later.”

Police are continuing to investigate the incidents and are not sure if the crimes are related, Kosten said. Police have been able to recover all of the cars stolen.

“Sometimes they are recovered because they are just abandoned,” Kosten said. “Sometimes they are [found] because they were in an accident and somebody fled.”

Kosten said police are sometimes able to recover DNA evidence from stolen vehicles. However, the results can take weeks or months to be made available. Though Kosten added that if the person who committed the crime does not already have a DNA profile in the system, there will be no match.

While Kosten said he believes that unlocked cars and keys in plain sight are the most significant factors in the thefts, he noted warmer weather that has encouraged people to get outside and stay out later, which may also be contributing to the spike in thefts.

There are a few other tips Kosten advised that can help to protect their vehicles, including making sure to take valuables out of the car or assuring that they are not in plain sight.

“Even if a car is locked, there are times when people will break out windows if they know it is worth their while and they can see something valuable inside: cell phones, purses, electronics, gifts,” Kosten said.

Those who may have information about the car thefts can contact the city’s detective bureau at (269) 683-0404. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at tipsoft.com or texted to 274-637, with the keywords: Tip Niles PD. People who experience a car theft are advised to call the police station at (269) 683-1313.

Kosten cautioned residents to lock their cars and keep their keys with them so thieves do not get an opportunity to steal.

“If we can take away that opportunity, I think we can decrease these,” Kosten said. “All it takes is something simple, like bringing the keys inside the house.”