POLICE are reminding the public about the dangers of leaving vehicles unlocked after a man went on a spending spree with a stolen credit card just three days after being released from prison.
Dale Simpson aged 30, stole items from three cars in Warrington while looking for unlocked vehicles in Coleport Close and Wellfield Street in the early hours of Sunday 20 September.
He then used a stolen bank card to make six fraudulent transactions at a betting shop in Warrington later that day, as well as to pay a subscription fee for a streaming service.
Simpson was identified as the offender from CCTV footage and police launched a manhunt.
Aware that officers were looking for him, Simpson, of Clarke Avenue in Latchford, Warrington, handed himself into a police station on Monday 7 October.
He was subsequently charged with seven counts of fraud by false representation, three counts of theft from a motor vehicle and one count of interfering with a motor vehicle.
Simpson pleaded guilty to the offences at Warrington Magistrates’ Court yesterday and was jailed for 16 weeks and ordered to pay a £128 victim surcharge.
Police Constable Leanne Horne, who led the investigation on behalf of Warrington Local Policing Unit, said: “Having your possessions stolen by a thief is deeply upsetting.
“To help combat this type of crime, I urge vehicle owners to be vigilant and to take steps to reduce their chances of becoming victims.
“I also urge residents to report any suspicious activity to the police – by calling 101 or via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report – to further aid our ongoing battle against vehicle crime.”
Anti-theft advice for vehicle owners is:
• Park your vehicle in a well-lit area whenever it is possible to do so
• Ensure that your vehicle is locked and secure with the windows up whenever you are not inside it, even if you are only leaving it unattended for a brief moment
• Do not leave valuable items inside your vehicle
• Do not leave anything that may attract an opportunist thief visible in your vehicle and never be tempted to hide valuable items in the glovebox or under seats
• Tools should never be left in full view and should not be kept inside a vehicle overnight wherever possible
• If your vehicle does not have an alarm, get one fitted by a professional so that you and anyone nearby will be alerted to a break-in
• Remember to activate your alarm whenever you get out of your vehicle
• Do not forget to remove your satnav and the fascia of your car stereo when you get out of the vehicle − ensure that you detach the cradle
• Also remember to wipe away the mark from the windscreen that is left by the suction pad, as this is a telltale sign for thieves that you have a satnav
