This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Ogden police are warning residents that by leaving their cars unattended to warm up, they could end up being out in the cold — in more ways than one.
Police spokesman John Harvey said Thursday that a significant portion of the 82 auto thefts reported in Ogden over the past three months, have involved either unlocked or unattended and running vehicles.
"We are urging everyone to exercise good judgment and not leave vehicles running. There is a high probability that the vehicle will be stolen," Harvey said.
Of the reported thefts, 36 (44 percent) involved vehicles left running and unattended. Another 34 cases (41 percent) were unlocked cars.
Enough is enough. Harvey said that even as officers pursue car thieves, they plan also to crack down on motorists who violate state law prohibiting leaving vehicles running and unattended. Citations carry a $40 price tag.
Harvey also pointed to the department's recent launch of a crime-reporting website as a way for citizens to report both violations and suspicious activity.
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