Police warn: Thieves step it up this time of year

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) _ It's becoming a holiday tradition: an increase in thefts during the year's busiest shopping season, often targeting shoppers loaded down with just-purchased gifts.

Tuesday, December 6th 2005, 11:09 am

By: News On 6

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) _ It's becoming a holiday tradition: an increase in thefts during the year's busiest shopping season, often targeting shoppers loaded down with just-purchased gifts.

Police are warning shoppers to take commonsense steps like locking vehicles, hiding valuables and generally keeping their guard up even during a time of year when many are in a more charitable and less suspicious mood.

``You do have a lot of people who are giving to charity and being very generous, but you also have people out there looking for an opportunity,'' said Gerri Ann Higgins, marketing director at the University Mall. ``This is the time of year that people try to get away with stuff.''

``At a mall at the holidays, if you leave your car unlocked, you're just kind of inviting trouble,'' she said.

One shopper who was keeping his guard up on Sunday was Dave King, a 58-year-old IBM employee from Essex Junction. When he goes on a shopping trip that requires several trips from mall to car, he puts the latest load in the car, drives to a new parking spot and then returns to the mall.

``If someone's following you or watching you, they'd see exactly where you put everything you just bought,'' King said.

Cindy Bradley, a 41-year-old home day care operator from Charlotte, said her biggest concern is personal safety.

``I always tell my daughter, 'Park where it's well-lit; if you're going to the parking lot, try to time it so you're going with a crowd; and always check the back seat to make sure nobody's in there,''' Bradley said. ``She's probably sick of hearing that.''

Police offer several precautionary tips:

_ Always lock your car and try not to leave valuables in it.

_ Lock packages and gifts in your car's trunk.

_ Park in well-lighted areas if possible.

_ Use heavy-duty locks for toolboxes, and if they are stored in pickup trucks, secure the toolboxes to the truck's bed.

_ Mark your car radios, other car equipment, CDs, tools, etc. with your driver's license number.

_ Be observant. Notify police if you see anyone acting suspiciously, such as loitering around cars or looking into cars.

_ Don't leave purses and packages unattended, and hold them close while shopping.