Recent issue of car thefts sees criminals take vehicles to Louisville

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – In south central Kentucky, many communities are seeing an increase in car thefts. Warren County Sheriff Brett Hightower believes he’s seen the reason why.

“We have folks from outside this community that are coming in here… getting off of I-65… and they are finding some of our well-in neighborhoods where people feel very safe in those communities. They will come down from Nashville or Louisville, they’ll drive in. There will be two or three people in these cars. They will get out in the neighborhood. They would just find cars that are unlocked and within 30 to 45 minutes, they’ve got anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 worth of merchandise,” he says.

These criminals will then take the cars and head back north.

“We were able to identify the fact that two of the last cars that were stolen were picked up on some camera video footage through the Flock system, and they were last seen up near the Louisville area. This is something that we as people… whatever you do, leave your cars locked and also don’t leave your keys in them or firearms or other valuables like this,” Hightower says.

Up in Barren County, the Glasgow Police Department is seeing a similar trend.

“Over the last month or so, we’ve had a bunch of car thefts. We’ve had a total of five vehicles and maybe one motorcycle. A couple of those vehicles also had the keys left inside them, which makes it easier for someone to steal,” Major Terry Flatt with Glasgow PD says.

That’s why he also says no matter where you are, make sure to protect your valuables.

“Park in a well-lit area… also see if you got some video cameras that may capture your vehicle. Do not leave any personal items or anything of value laying in the front seat or someone may be able to look in your car and just say ‘Hey, I’m gonna break in this vehicle and take that,'” Flatt says.