PNP warns: Car thieves strike at night

Incidents of car theft and carjacking are down but the police still urged vehicle owners to vigilant especially at night.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) noted that majority of car thefts this year happened at night until early morning.

Data from the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) showed that there were an average of 14 theft cases per week in May, compared to a weekly average of 39 incidents from December 2013 to June 2014. There were 295 incidents reported from January 5 to May 24 this year.

The PNP said 183 or 63 percent of these cases happened during midnight until early morning, or from 12:01 am to 8 am.

The DIDM advised the public to always park cars in safe, secure and well-lighted places or areas, to install security alarm and security devices in cars and to lock car windows and doors at all times.

The same data showed that 159 car theft cases or 53 percent occurred in the streets either forcibly taken from the owner, or while the vehicle was parked.

Meanwhile, the PNP assured the public that it would step up its crime prevention operations with more night-time foot and mobile patrols with barangay watchmen to prevent car thefts.