Rising Car Break-Ins in Hanover: 57% Increase in Thefts from Vehicles

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Written By Blue & Gold NLR Team

 

 

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. — The Hanover County Sheriff’s Office reports an increase in car break-ins recently.

According to Sgt. Steve Wills, the Public Information Officer, 15 cars were broken into in a single night at two apartment complexes in Mechanicsville. However, the only item stolen was ammunition from one car.

It was more vandalism than theft, Wills explained.

In June 2024, thefts from cars in the county rose by over 57% compared to June 2023. Incidents of property damage also increased by nearly 15%.

Wills noted that Hanover County generally has a low crime rate, so a single night with multiple break-ins can cause a noticeable spike. He emphasized that most of these crimes are 100% crimes of opportunity.” Thieves usually target areas with many cars, such as apartment complexes, townhome communities, or other densely populated areas. The time of year, particularly when school is out, also influences these incidents.

This has been a recent issue, Wills said. We’re working to solve it, and once we make arrests, I expect to see a sharp decrease in this type of crime.

 

 

 

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