Automobiles crowd the Sand Dunes car parking zone at Snow Canyon State Park, Utah, March 28, 2020 | Photograph by Hollie Reina, St. George Information
ST. GEORGE — At well-liked trailheads in Snow Canyon State Park, there was a rise in latest automobile break-ins. In keeping with a press launch from the park, there have been 4 reported break-ins over the previous three weeks with most occurring throughout the mid-morning or early afternoon hours.
Snow Canyon State Park Supervisor Kristen Comella instructed St. George Information the rise in automotive break-ins just isn’t regular for the park.
“It’s unusual to have theft problems in the park and so vehicle break-ins aren’t a common occurrence,” Comella stated. “It’s not typically something we need to warn visitors about, it’s typically a very safe location.”
Comella stated that she couldn’t speculate on a potential trigger for the rise in thefts and added the park has no present leads on the break-ins. The thefts occurred when individuals would arrive on the park, park their vehicles and depart to recreate. When the victims returned to their vehicles, most have been unaware that any of their cash or bank cards had been stolen.
The entire victims claimed that they locked their vehicles earlier than leaving them, they usually have been all unsure how the thieves gained entry to their vehicles.
“They came back and typically within a short period of time realized that items had been taken,” Comella stated. “Either money and cash, or they were notified by their bank or credit card company that there was suspicious activity. Everyone claimed that their vehicles were locked so it does sound as though somebody is finding some way to gain access – not breaking windows or forcible entry, but they’re finding a way to get in and not triggering the car alarms.”
The press launch added that Utah State Park regulation enforcement and the Washington County Sheriff’s Division have elevated patrols within the park. Indicators have additionally been posted at every entrance to the park to try to fight the thefts.
“We don’t want this to happen to anybody,” Comella stated. “We are trying to advise that people use some common sense approaches and don’t leave items visible, don’t leave valuables in the car. It’s best just to take the valuables with them so there’s nothing to entice somebody to their vehicles.”
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