The District Attorney's Office convened partners from across Adams and Broomfield Counties to combat the rise in motor vehicle thefts. The District Attorney's Office also assigned members of our staff to the Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force as liaisons.
DA Staff flags auto theft cases when law enforcement submits them to our office for review. Our Deputy DAs determine the best course of action in handling these cases to deter this type of activity in the future. The District Attorney's Office fights for stiffer sentences in Court.
Auto theft affects the entire community. It is often just the first in a series of crimes, as 73% of adult car thieves are charged with additional offenses such as drug crimes, armed robbery, home invasion, and identity theft.
“Owner Apathy” or “Driver Apathy” makes a vehicle more susceptible or vulnerable to theft. These include leaving a vehicle running, leaving a vehicle unlocked and/or leaving an additional key in the vehicle. The exhaust vapors that come out of a running vehicle’s tailpipe in cold weather signals an easy steal to a thief, a puff of exhaust.
In Colorado, it’s illegal to leave your car running unattended unless you have a remote starter system in your vehicle and your keyless fob is far enough away that the car cannot be moved. Remember to keep the keyless fob in a safe place so the wrong hands can’t get to it.
Purchase a remote start from the original manufacturer or a proven after-market source, but make sure the doors are locked and the start fob is in a safe place.
(Information Provided by LockdownYourCar.Org and the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority)