Columbia police report over $332,000 worth of property stolen from cars, thefts on rise

Columbia police report over $332,000 worth of property stolen from motor vehicles this year and the number continues to rise.

Police said since Jan. 1 the department has taken 655 reports of thefts from motor vehicles. That is 207 more reports than at this time last year.

Of those reports, 99 of them include firearms and/or firearm related accessories being stolen, police said.

Officers said last Friday, six firearms and several cases of ammunition were stolen from locked vehicles primarily in the area of Stadium Boulevard between Rock Quarry Drive and Goodwin Point.

Police said the crimes are occurring throughout the city.

Officers said the thefts are crimes of opportunity. Thieves will oftentimes walk through neighborhoods or parking lots and check car doors.

Police said valuables left in plain view inside a vehicle can make that vehicle more of a target.

Police ask citizens to not leave their firearms in their cars overnight.