SPOKANE-- Local vehicle prowling cases are up by nearly 40 percent, according to the Spokane Police Department.
Officers arrested another vehicle prowling suspect this week near Monroe and Augusta. A witness reportedly saw Shabrawn Rautio, 20, break the passenger window of a vehicle in a parking lot. An officer spotted Rautio nearby carrying the backpack he stole from the car, which contained a backpack.
Police say Rautio was uncooperative at first, but they were eventually able to arrest him and return the backpack to the victim.
This is one of a number of vehicle prowling cases in Spokane. Crime analysis experts say vehicle prowling crimes increased by 38 percent in the last year alone.
To combat the trend, the police department is starting the Remove It or Lose It campaign. It’s designed to prevent vehicle prowling by offering tips to Spokane residents.
The police department advises citizens to:
• Park cars in a well lit or high traffic area
• Don’t leave valuables in plain sight inside cars
• Keep car doors locked
• When shopping, lock bags in the trunk
• If you see someone in your car, call 911
The campaign officially launches July 9.
