The Eugene Police Department is warning residents not to leave house keys and automatic garage door openers in parked vehicles, citing an increase in burglaries where police believe thieves broke into cars and used the devices to enter residences.
Spokeswoman Melinda Kletzok said that residents should always bring their garage door remote controllers with them. Clipping them to a sun visor or hiding them in a glove compartment provides little security.
“If it’s something that you use to keep unauthorized people out of some area, then you shouldn’t be leaving that behind,” she said.
Even with vehicles not parked in front of residences, thieves would often check registration to find the owner’s home and would use an unlocked door connecting a garage to a house to gain entry, according to a press release. Such burglaries have even occurred months after a vehicle break-in or theft, police said.
Kletzok said she had not heard of any instances of garage door remote theft relating to secure apartment complex parking lots, but said anyone with such devices or keys should not take a chance with leaving them unattended.
Victims of a vehicle break-in or theft who find keys or remotes stolen should immediately change garage door codes or change their locks, the release advised.
– Steven R. Neuman