Maplewood Police Sgt. Matt Nighbor said Thursday morning by phone to 40 South News that residents are continuing to leave cars running with keys in the ignition, and thieves continue to look for such cars to steal.
He said another car was stolen Thursday morning in the 7200 block of Sarah Avenue while it was running, warming up. Several cars were stolen off driveways in Maplewood and Richmond Heights in mid-November.
Nighbor said Maplewood and surrounding areas are really getting hit.
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“Thieves are targeting this area and neighboring jurisdictions for the sole purpose of taking the cars while they’re running,” Nighbor said. “Police officers have been telling me that even at convenience stores and restaurants they see cars running all the time, while somebody runs in real quick.”
See also: Richmond Heights residents concerned with crime, meet with police