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Rash of car thefts in Newport News; police say lock your doors

A shocking statistic in Newport News. Police say 87 cars were stolen in the city in the first 51 days of 2018.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WVEC) -- Police said 87 cars have been stolen in Newport News since the beginning of 2018.

Police recovered 59 of them so far, but they're still asking drivers to do one simple thing-- lock their cars.

Police said of those 87 cars stolen, more than half were either unlocked, the driver left the keys in the car or the driver left the car running.

Robert Asbury said he's got a bad habit of not only leaving his car unlocked when he goes out but leaving his keys sitting in the car as well!

“I just run in and out thinking nothing will be wrong,” Asbury said.

Asbury said the thought of someone stealing his car never crosses his mind.

“I guess it won't happen to me, it'll be someone else with a newer and nicer car,” Asbury thinks.

According to police, there were more than 504 cars reported stolen last year.

Right now, police don't know if it's several people stealing cars, a group or an individual. Police say the best thing to do is lock it up.

Newport News Police offer this advice:

Don’t leave extra keys anywhere in the car, and although it might be uncomfortable, stay in your locked car while waiting for it to warm up. The NNPD does not recommend you watch your car from a window inside your house. It does not take long for someone to approach the car, get inside and take off. And because they may be armed, you should never attempt to stop them.

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