Q. I often hear of car thefts in Ann Arbor. Some people recommend removing anything valuable and then leaving the car unlocked, so that the thief doesn’t break a window. Is that good advice? I’ve also heard that some thieves have a device that can signal a fob to unlock a car, unless the fob is inside the house and in a shielded container. Is that happening in our area?
A. Larcenies from autos are common: Sgt. Mark Pulford of the AAPD community engagement unit says that several are reported in Ann Arbor every day. These are considered “crimes of opportunity” and almost always involve an unlocked car, so Pulford says the best prevention is to lock the doors. Smashed windows are not common, usually occurring only if valuables have been left in plain sight. Pulford has yet to see a report of a pirated fob signal.
While many larcenies are misdemeanors, in Michigan stealing any of a variety of specified items from a car—including computers, telephones, electronic devices, and catalytic converters—is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Damaging a vehicle in an attempt to commit larceny is a separate felony, also punishable by up to five years in prison.
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