Thefts of GPS units on the rise

Car break-ins are on the rise over the past month with thieves favoring small gadgets like iPods and global positioning systems, police say.

“Wherever they’re seeing these opportunities, they’re taking advantage,” Sgt. Bryan Glass said.

Statistics were not immediately available, but Glass said detectives had told him they’ve seen more GPS systems being targeted.

These types of vehicle burglaries aren’t sophisticated, it’s usually a quick window smash-and-grab, Glass said. Newport Beach had three car windows smashed last week, and GPS navigation systems were taken, Sgt. Evan Sailor said.

Southern California statistics show that most property stolen from vehicles is in plain view, things like purses, computers, iPods and GPS units, Glass said.

Police officials remind residents to keep their windows up, their car doors locked, and to take valuables inside with them when they leave the car.

If nothing else, lock valuables in the trunk, Glass recommended. Stolen GPS systems are more easily recoverable when the owner records the product’s serial number, authorities said. Many valuable items taken end up on eBay, Craigslist or other online auction sites, police said.

For questions regarding protecting property or for further information, contact Costa Mesa Crime Prevention Specialist Kelly Vucinic at (714) 754-4876.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.