Police Commissioner Thomas R. Sofield, Sr. reports that a pattern has emerged regarding the theft of Portable Navigation Systems or GPS units that are owned by many area residents. The owners of vehicles that are equipped with these units should be extra vigilant in securing the systems. Extra precautions should be taken especially overnight. “The Long Beach Police Department recently received an intelligence bulletin from the Nassau County Police Department outlining a pattern of navigation system thefts that have occurred in the Oceanside and Long Beach area. A study of the thefts was done by, Sergeant William Dodge, the Department’s Intelligence Officer. After careful analysis a distinctive pattern was discovered,” said Police Commissioner Sofield
Detective Lieutenant Vincent Buscemi, Commanding Officer of the Long Beach Police Department’s Detective Division explained the pattern and how the issue is being addressed,” The current strings of thefts have been occurring between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The perpetrators are apparently targeting vehicles that are equipped with Navigation systems that are portable. Entry is most commonly made into vehicles that are unlocked or by breaking a window of the vehicle to gain access. The Department’s Street Crimes Unit has been deployed to address this problem.”
Police Commissioner Sofield offered these tips to members of the community who have portable navigation systems:
When leaving you vehicle parked for an extended period, especially overnight, remove the system from the vehicle. After removing the unit bring it with you into your home. Do not leave it in thevehicle. Ensure that the vehicle’s windshield has no visible telltale “suction cup marks” on the windshield, from where the unit was mounted. If equipped, use the unit’s “lock” anti-theft system. Lock unattended vehicles. As always, if you see anything suspicious do not hesitate to notify the Long Beach Police Department immediately.
