Vehicle thefts down overall this year in Columbia, but some residents have become recent targets
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Vehicle thefts in Columbia are down 60.74% in 2024 compared to 2023, according to data from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Despite the decrease, Columbia resident Nicholas Shroyer and his wife had their vehicle stolen on Sunday night from their home on Brookview Terrace in southwest Columbia. Shroyer said he, his wife and two children moved to Columbia four months ago from the state of California to give their children a better life.
Shroyer noted he and his wife returned home Sunday night with their children and forgot to lock their vehicle. Around 10 p.m. Sunday, the vehicle was still in the driveway.
He said Monday morning started off as a typical day, where he went to drop his children off at daycare, only to notice his wife's vehicle, a 2017 silver Nissan Altima with California plates gone from their driveway.
"It just sucks. It's like, we've been working so hard to build a better life for these two (children) and been here four months and the vehicle gets stolen right from under us for no reason," Shroyer said. "It doesn't matter where you live. If somebody wants something, they're going to take it."
Data from MSHP also shows 23.8% of motor vehicle thefts have occurred at a home or residence in 2024, the second-most frequent location. According to the Highway Patrol, 63% of vehicle thefts happen in roads or parking lots.
Blake Davis also had his motorcycle stolen from an apartment complex on Ash Street in west Columbia on Saturday night.
Davis said he hadn't bought any of the equipment necessary to lock his motorcycle because of the cost. However, he said he places some responsibility on his apartment complex for not having surveillance footage or the proper security to keep his vehicle safe.
Davis said he was able to have his motorcycle returned to him by the Columbia Police Department on Sunday afternoon after he filed a police report. However, he said most of the parts to the motorcycle were stripped, leaving him unable to ride it.
"It's overwhelming...for me to have to save up my money and try and ensure that I can purchase a vehicle for myself to get to and from work, just for someone to walk into my parking lot and steal my bike," Davis said.
Shroyer said he doesn't plan to press charges against the person who stole his vehicle. He said he only wants the vehicle returned, and if anyone sees it, they report it.
"It's not just a car. It's my car seats, we had strollers in the back. We had a laptop that she uses for work. there's personal items. There's you know, paperwork in there," Shroyer said.
