Deputies warn drivers of holiday car break-ins

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — With the holidays just weeks away, it’s almost that time of year where people see a rise in car break-ins.

That’s why the Washington County Sheriff’s Office wants to send out a warning to drivers, reminding them to please lock their doors and to avoid leaving any valuables in the car.

Although it seems like common sense, break-ins are more common in cars left unlocked.

“We all do it! We all forget to lock our cars. Um, we all decide that we’ll go grab the package later, after we’ve got home, and then we never go back outside to get it in the car. It’s just one of those things that you have to decide to do every time,” said Sgt. David Thompson with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Thompson said break-ins happen more frequently at crowded parking lots.

Some of the most common items stolen are GPS units, laptops and even pocket change.