WOOD COUNTY, OH (Toledo News Now) – As
the holiday season commences, shoppers should take extra care to keep valuables
and purchases safe from thieves.
According to Wood County Sheriff Mark
Wasylyshyn, the first thing shoppers should do when reaching their destination
is look for a well-lit area to park their car.
"You have to think to yourself as a
burglar or thief," Wasylyshyn said. "They don't like being seen…they don't like
light."
Valuables should never be left in the
vehicle. GPS devices, laptops, purses and other valuables should be out of
sight so as not to tempt thieves to break the windows.
When returning to a vehicle, Wasylyshyn
advised shoppers to keep their key in their hand to avoid fumbling for it in
front of the car. Thieves may target shoppers that appear flustered or
unprepared.
And if a situation appears to be
unsafe, Wasylyshyn said it's best to not walk to a car alone.
"Get back in the store, or stay in the
store, because it's very likely that your subconscious picked up on something
that just isn't right," he said. "Someone watching you, or someone in a car
nearby. Go back in and ask the store security to escort you to the car, or an
employee…there's safety in numbers."
Holiday shopper Jennifer Zembol said she
never shops alone at this time of year.
"She doesn't carry a purse, [either,]"
Kevin Zembol, Jennifer's husband, said. "I carry all the money in my front
pocket so we can't get pick-pocketed. And then a lot of times we just carry
plastic so [there's] easy cancellation if something gets stolen."
Another important tip is to be
cautious of two people sitting in a car. Wasylyshyn said it's common to see one
person waiting in the car for their spouse, but two people waiting in a car is
unlikely and could mean they are working as a team to steal from shoppers.
Copyright 2012 Toledo News Now. All rights reserved.
Shoppers may make easy targets during the holiday season.
