Car Thefts Still a Big Problem Driving Crime in Yakima

While the violent crime rate is down in yakima car thefts are still a huge problem. In fact police Capt. Rod Light says 2012 saw a 60 percent increase in thefts compared to 2011. Light says a majority of the thefts are the result of carelessness. He says people who start vehicles on a cold morning and leave them running in the driveway. Light tells KIT News "sometimes we see 3 to 4 vehicle thefts a morning when it's cold"

In 2011 699 vehicles were stolen. But that number jumped to 11 hundred 19 vehicles last year. Light says if you want to keep your vehicle. Lock the doors and never leave it running in the driveway.