Hi Sam,

You're right, but you're missing the point of the original post,
which was asking how to prevent the damage done to the vehicle during
the break-in. Leaving that vehicle unlocked would have prevented that
damage, which was of a much higher cost than the stereo they were after.

Perhaps the post should have read "Locks only keep "Theft of
opportunity" from occurring. There's simply no stopping a well-
prepared and determined thief. They'll haul the whole vehicle away if
the stakes are high enough. And I have heard of dumb@$$ thiefs who
broke the windows on an unlocked car to get inside.

Leaving the keys in the ignition is another matter though.... Might
as well put a sign on it saying "Free ride".

Happy Trails,

Greg Potts
1973/74/75/77/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
www.pottsfamily.ca/westfakia
www.busesofthecorn.com

On 15-Oct-06, at 12:15 PM, Sam Walters wrote:

> "Locks only keep honest people out. "
>
> Honest people don't try to get into any car, locked or unlocked, that
> isn't theirs.
>
> Unlocked cars make your car more likely to be the target of crime.
>
> Many times I have read or seen interviews with convicted or former car
> break in "artists" included in crime prevention features.  They state
> that they often would just walk along checking cars and go into the
> ones
> that were unlocked to do their stealing, or find ones unlocked and
> with
> the keys inside in plain view to steal.
>
> They were amazed, as law enforcement people continue to be, that so
> many
> people would leave their cars unlocked or "with keys" making it so
> easy
> for the thief.
>
> While not all thieves operate in this manner, and some do break into
> vehicles, not locking the vehicle is just an invitation to become a
> victim.  Leaving things of value in plain sight is another.
>
> Sam
>
> --
> Sam Walters
>
> Baltimore, MD