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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Police Department
Mike Ceynowa, Chief of Police
2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact:
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
DATE: 11/6/2010
SUBJECT: Another Vehicle Prowl Arrest, Prevention tips
BY: Officer Brad Wick, Information Coordinator
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Vehicle Prowl
CASE NO.: 10401386
INCIDENT DATE: 11/6/2010
INCIDENT TIME: 2:41 am
INCIDENT LOCATION: 800 Block of East Second Alley
SUBJECT: Another Vehicle Prowl Arrest, Prevention tips
BY: Officer Brad Wick, Information Coordinator
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Vehicle Prowl
CASE NO.: 10401386
INCIDENT DATE: 11/6/2010
INCIDENT TIME: 2:41 am
INCIDENT LOCATION: 800 Block of East Second Alley
On Saturday, November 6th, 2010, at 2:41 am, Duluth Police investigated the report that an unknown male was just seen checking vehicles in the 800 block of East Second Alley. The male suspect, who was dressed in dark clothing, was seen in one of the vehicles.
Officers located Derek Allen Hansey, age 22 of Duluth. Hansey was found hiding under a vehicle and matched the description given of the suspect. He also had property from two prowled vehicles in his possession.
Hansey was taken to the St. Louis County jail where he was lodged for Tampering with a Motor Vehicle and possession of stolen property.
Prevention
Of late, Duluth has seen an increase in vehicle prowls. Most vehicle prowls are crimes of opportunity and happen during the evening or night hours but can also happen during the daylight hours. Areas where multiple cars can be targeted are popular with prowlers, areas where vehicles are parked unattended for short periods of time on a regular basis such as: mall or business parking lots, Theater or Playhouse lots, hiking/bike trail lots, Lakewalk or Park lots, etc.
Just locking a vehicle doesn’t deter a prowler if something of value can be seen inside. Car prowlers will make a split second decision on whether the item inside is worth the risk. Many vehicle prowls lately have had a window smashed out because valuables such as purses and electronics could be seen inside.
The following prevention can help reduce the chances of your vehicle being prowled:
- Keep the interior of your car “clean”. Don’t leave valuables, including purses, wallets, briefcases, laptops, cell phones, GPS, firearms, etc, in plain view.
- If you leave valuables in your car, put them in the trunk before you get to your destination. Prowlers will “stake out” parking lots and watch as victims hide purses, electronics, and/or valuables, under seats or in trunks.
- Park in busy, well lit areas. Avoid parking near anything that limits visibility like dumpsters, large vans or trucks, or wooded areas.
- Before leaving your parked car, remove the keys, roll up the windows, lock the car and set the alarm. Keep your keys with you.
- Don’t leave credit cards, bank cards, identification or personal information in your car.
- At home and if possible, park your car in a closed and locked garage. If parked in a carport or parked near your house, leave an outside light on. Motion detectors are good psychological deterrents, causing the car prowler to think that someone has seen them when the light comes on. Lights make the car prowler more visible.
- Create visibility. If you park on the street, choose a well-lit, open space. Trim back trees or bushes that block the view of your vehicle.
If you observe suspicious activity or a vehicle prowl in progress, or you are a victim of a vehicle prowl, call 9-1-1. Police ask that citizens practice these prevention tips so that we can reduce the number of vehicle prowls occurring in Duluth.
