The Top Nine Most Sought After Items by Car Thieves

There's been an upswing in auto break-ins and thefts in Encino and throughout the San Fernando Valley. They're items we leave in plain view inside our cars all the time: Phone chargers, iPods, even laptops. Los Angeles Police say they are the perfect bait for a criminal. Police have a new plan that could actually prevent you from becoming the next victim, so long as you keep these nine items out of sight:  

1. Satellite navigation devices Never leave your navigation equipment in plain view. Make sure the mounting stalk is removed from the windshield or dashboard—this is a clear indication there may be a navigation device hidden inside the car. Never program your home address into the device under an obvious name such as "home" as a thief will be able to locate where you live, and if your car is in town, they may assume that your home is likely to be empty.
2. Sunglasses shouldn't be sitting in your car in the first place; they should be on your head. And if it's not sunny, put them in your purse, on your shirt, or hidden in your trunk. If you think your $300 Gucci, Prada or Ray Ban sunglasses alone won't lure a car criminal, think again.
3. Lap top computers have a high resale value for car criminals who will be more than happy to steal them from your car. You not only lose your expensive computer, but you also lose all of the information stored on it such as personal documents, photos, spreadsheets, passwords and more. The solution? Never leave your computer in your car.
4. iPods: It doesn't matter what your choice of music is, iPods left in plain view in a vehicle are music to the ears of car criminals who steal them. Don't tempt them by leaving your charger or case in sight either.
5. Wallets, purses and credit cards Purses in the backseat, wallets in the passenger seat and credit cards in the cupholder are the gateway to untold riches. The two places a car thief will look first when breaking into a car are inside the glove box or under the seats. Don't leave purses, wallets or bags in the car even if they're empty. It may cost you a broken window for the thief to find that out.
6. Cell phones: For the car criminal these have a high resale value, are easy to carry and are easy to sell. For you, it means your contact numbers, calendars, music and photos are lost. Just remember, one person's iPhone is another person's jackpot.
7. Cameras: A treasure trove of opportunity awaits a car criminal who sees a camera inside the car. A smashed window, a few seconds and they are away with your property. There go your photos, memories, children's faces and $300 camera.
8. Power tools and other work equipment should never be left in your vehicle.  Always remove them to a secure locked area overnight. You will not only have the expense and frustration of having to source and replace expensive equipment, if they are stolen, but you could lose valuable business if you don't have the tools to do the job.
9. Watches: Whether you're running out for three minutes to grab a cup of coffee or heading to the gym for an hour, your watch is not safe in your car. Either lock it up at home or wear it on your wrist.