Auto thefts declining in Casper

CASPER, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - Car thefts are declining in Casper, which is great news, especially considering the fact that car theft numbers are increasing nationally.

According to a new report, auto thefts are on the rise, nationally. But not so in Casper. In fact, Casper Police says reported vehicle thefts have gone down. Sergeant Seth Wheeler says the encouraging trend is due in part to a police campaign started last year.

“Lock It Up Casper was a campaign that our former public information officer Rebecca Ladd started. Just with... mostly with public notification. To lock up your car, remove temptation from inside the vehicle... With guns, valuables.”

Wheeler says home security cameras can aid in the capture of suspects, if... they’re in the right location.

“There have been times where we have video footage of our offender from the auto burg(lary) leaving the scene, but not actually committing the crime itself. So you got to make sure when you set those cameras up, that you know exactly where to park.”

With warmer weather approaching, Wheeler says the desires of would-be thieves will be changing.

“Now that it’s nicer out and the weather’s kind of warmed up... We’ll start to see some of the welding leads from welding trucks. Those will start getting sold for the copper. Um... Tool boxes in the bed of trucks that aren’t secured, that can be pried open. We get a lot of those.”

With the help of citizens, Casper Police hopes auto thefts and burglaries will continue to decrease.

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