Preventing auto theft

Albuquerque police suggest that vehicle owners take these and other precautions to help prevent auto theft:

Always lock your car, take the keys with you and never hide a spare key in the vehicle.

Make your vehicle more visible by parking in well-lit spaces with heavy foot traffic or at the end of the row.

Park in the garage. Vehicles parked at the curb are most at risk; they are safer in a driveway and safest in the garage.

Prevent towing by turning the wheels slightly toward the curb and using the emergency brake.

Use motion-sensor lights over your garage, which will alert you to any nighttime visitors.

Avoid parking in an unattended lot for an extended period of time.

Always remove keys from the ignition, keep the windows closed and never leave an unattended vehicle running.

Back your vehicle into the driveway. Thieves may raise the hood as they hot-wire a car, and neighbors could believe that the person is simply working on the vehicle.

Etch the VIN number into the vehicle’s windows.

For more information visit www.cabq.gov/police and click on “Crime Prevention & Safety.”