Mary Whitfill
Staff Writer
On March 29 at 3 a.m., three individuals were arrested in Coppell for engaging in criminal activity after an officer of the Coppell police department found a window broken out of a local vehicle. After the vehicle was reported, other patrol and criminal investigations officers responded and found a suspicious vehicle. Jose Monroy, 29, Samuel Simmons, 23, and Rachel Tyler, 22, were taken into police custody after purses and other items recently reported missing in Coppell were found inside their vehicle.
All three individuals were taken to the Coppell Police Department jail and were then transferred to Dallas County jail with bail ranging from $2,500 to $15,000.
To help educate about the dangers of leaving property in plain sight in a vehicle, Nationwide insurance company shares 10 car break-in prevention tips:
1. Keep your car visible by parking in well lit and well populated areas
2. Keep windows and sunroofs closed, as well as all doors locked
3. Activate your vehicles alarm. If a vehicle is not equipped with one, outside contractors are available to professionally install anti-theft systems
4. Hide all valuables, keeping them either with you or in a locked trunk
5. Hide your valuables (part 2) – if driving an SUV with an open cargo area, purchase a cover to keep belongings hidden
6. Always take your keys. Even if you think your super-secret-hiding-place-for-your-spare-key is awesome.
7. Stow all belonging out of site BEFORE arriving at your final destination
8. As well as hiding electronics, hide electronic accessories such as chargers, power plugs, or MP3 adaptors. These will often tip off a thief that there is something of more value somewhere in the vehicle.
9. If you see suspicious activity, find somewhere else to park.
10. Discourage all thieves by providing your vehicle with visible anti-theft devices like steering wheel locks, steering column collars or brake pedal locks.
Local police departments would like to remind residents once again of the dangers of leaving an unsecure vehicle in plain sight. Community members are being encouraged to call either 9-1-1 or 972-304-3610, to report any suspicious activity.
