Published: August 26, 2008 01:28 am      

CRIME: GPS device thefts popping up, but Tonawandas mostly spared

In-car global positioning systems are good tools for helping directionally-challenged motorists find their way around, whether it’s going to the local shopping center or across country.

But in some places, the telltale signs of a GPS device — the cradle and suction cup mounts — are directing thieves to parked vehicles that contain these pricey items.

GPS devices range in price from around $120 for a Navigon 2100 to more than $1,000 for the top-of-the-line Garmin Nuvi 880. As they gain in popularity, GPS devices, along with iPods and cell phones, are becoming a more focused target of thieves, and police agencies are warning motorists to be on the lookout.

“You can pretty much depend on thieves being able to identify what’s new, so it’s not surprising that they’re stealing GPS devices,” said Carolyn Gorman, vice president of the Insurance Information Institute, based in Manhattan.

While many cities are experiencing increased GPS thefts — Buffalo police recently warned motorists about the increase — police in the Tonawandas so far are reporting only a handful of GPS thefts.

Last week, a Buffalo man reported to City of Tonawanda police that his GPS was stolen while his Lexus was parked in the lot at BJ’s Wholesale Club on Young Street.

The thief apparently busted a car window and snatched the device, according to police reports. Not only was the victim out his approximately $500 GPS device, he was also left with a $300 window repair. An iPod and satellite radio unit in the car were both left untouched.

Kenmore police have logged one reported theft, also last week. It happened in broad daylight, according to the victim, Rachel, who asked that her last name be withheld. The Akron resident said she was at work in Kenmore and left at about 8:30 p.m. to find the driver’s side window of her vehicle busted out and the GPS gone.

“Some scumbag thief probably stole my $400 GPS for a $20 bag of crack,” the woman said, adding that the global positioning system was a Christmas gift from her parents.

In 2007, GPS systems experienced 237 percent revenue growth over the previous year, making the devices the top growth category among consumer technology products, which include plasma televisions and digital frames, according to the NPD Group, a market research firm.

Kenmore police Chief Carl LaCorte said it’s likely that as they gain in popularity, more GPS units will wind up being stolen. “It’s a very hot commodity today. They’re still not a real cheap thing that you buy for $40 or $50, and I’m sure they’re easy to sell on the street,” he said.

Town of Tonawanda Police Lt. Nicholas Bado said police there have not received any reports of thefts. “Maybe (thieves) are just being really careful around here,” Bado said.

In January, police in Bergen County, New Jersey, arrested four teens in connection with a rash of more than 200 GPS thefts.

Fortunately for GPS owners in the Tonawandas, it’s nowhere near as rampant.

North Tonawanda police report that thieves aren’t specifically targeting GPS devices but are taking anything of value. When they do get their hands on such a valuable item, “They sell it on the street or sell it at a pawn shop,” said Detective Rob Kalota.

The driving force behind any GPS theft, police say, is that drivers leave the unit exposed.

There are some simple steps people can take to keep thieves at bay. First, and most obvious, is locking your vehicle. “If I told you how many people leave their cars unlocked, you wouldn’t believe it,” LaCorte said.

Police also recommend storing the device in the trunk or, if possible, carrying it with you.

It’s also a good idea to remove the suction cup mounts and even wipe away the circle marks they leave behind on the windshield, according to City of Tonawanda Lt. Fredric Foels. “Most people are only doing it halfway. You’ve got to take it the whole nine yards,” Foels said.

“The bottom line is, you want to make your car less attractive to thieves so they will go to someone else’s,” said Gorman, of the Insurance Information Institute. “It sounds cold, but that’s what it is.”

Contact reporter David J. Hill at 693-1000, ext. 115.