Car Break-Ins On The Rise

The number of car break-ins is breaking records in Tulsa.<br><br>Police say it's been worse since the start of the summer.<br><br>Police say car break-ins are becoming so common that it is becoming

Sunday, June 25th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The number of car break-ins is breaking records in Tulsa.

Police say it's been worse since the start of the summer.

Police say car break-ins are becoming so common that it is becoming an epidemic.

Car thefts usually go up in the summer, but police say that for some reason it's up more than usual this year.

At one police station in East Tulsa we visited today they took 10 car break-in reports Thursday night alone.

It's happening at businesses, homes, but mostly at apartment complexes.

Police say people need to be sure and lock their doors, but equally important is removing valuables from their cars.

Detectives say criminals look in the cars to see what's there and they'll take just about anything they can sell.

"Stereos, speakers, amplifiers and cell phones and anything else worth pawning or is valuable they'll take but mostly the electronic equipment," says Detective Dennis Campbell.

Police say car alarms do help, but most break-ins take only 30 seconds, so when you the alarm they say you have to act fast.