Full Notification

The Frankfort Police Department has been notified that there have been some vehicle break-ins in the Lincoln-Way area as well as throughout northern Illinois and Indiana. Frankfort Police would again remind you to please lock your vehicles and remove the valuables inside even if you are leaving your vehicle for just a short period of time. In some cases offenders are breaking windows if they see valuables in plain view. These crews are also targeting areas in which purses or valuables are often left in cars.

Examples of some vulnerable locations include:

• School or daycare drop offs
• Parks/walking trails
• Sporting events
• Places of worship
• Fitness facilities
• Gas Stations
• Shopping centers

The Frankfort Police Department reminds citizens to take extra precautions to reduce opportunistic vehicle burglaries. You can do your part by following these tips:

• Remove valuables such as purses, electronics, credit/debit cards, wallets, GPS units and cellular phones, even if only dropping a child at daycare or running into a store. Many offenders target these areas as people leave valuable in the car because they are carrying items.

• If you cannot remove valuable items, keep them out of plain view, or in a difficult area to access. Use parts of the vehicle not as commonly burglarized such as the trunk or similar compartments less likely to be found. Burglaries have occurred in the Chicago-land area even while pumping gas. Offenders will grab a purse from a seat while the driver is distracted.

• Make it a habit to lock your doors each time you leave your vehicle, including while you are at home. Most vehicle burglaries happen in residential areas. 88% of our burglary to motor vehicles involve vehicles that were left open.

• Close your windows or convertible tops.

• Never leave your car keys or key fobs inside of your vehicle.

• Be aware of your surroundings

We also ask that if you see anything out of the ordinary or hear anything, such as a car door shutting or dog barking at an unusual time, call Frankfort Police Department immediately at 911 (emergency) or 815-485-2500 (non-emergency). Working with the community is the best way for you to help us to stop crime! Remember “Lock it or Lose it!!, Hear it or See it, Report it!”