Las Cruces police are reminding motorists – particularly those who carry a firearm in their cars – to refrain from leaving vehicles unlocked and unattended.
The Las Cruces Police Department has seen a recent uptick in stolen firearms. Between Jan. 1 and Aug. 15, LCPD has taken reports of 155 firearms that have been stolen. In one non-residential burglary that occurred in early August, 26 firearms were reported stolen from a gun shop on west Picacho Avenue.
Police believe the majority of stolen firearms are taken from vehicles that are left unlocked and unattended. The likelihood of a stolen firearm later being used in the commission of a violent crime is extremely high.
Tips:
- Remove firearms, ammunition, extra magazines and accessories when leaving your vehicle unattended.
- Keep windows closed and doors locked when leaving a vehicle or home.
- Consider using a safe or lockbox, suitable for your vehicle or home, to secure firearms.
- Remove firearms and accessories before loaning a vehicle or leaving it at a repair shop.
- Store the serial or identification number of each firearm in a secure location.
- Save receipts for purchased firearms and gun accessories.
- Unless specifically licensed to do so, avoid carrying a firearm onto a school or college campus, federal installation or anywhere that prohibits firearms.
- Avoid decals or window stickers that identify yourself as a gun owner. Someone looking to steal a firearm may see such a decal as an advertisement for what is inside.
- Refrain from leaving a firearm within reach of children and passengers.
- Consider investing in a smart residential security system that has motion-activated cameras and sends notifications via cell phone. Nest, Ring, SimpliSafe and Vivint are some of the more popular residential security systems on the market.
- Avoid leaving rifles and long guns in an unsecure location where they could move, fall or become entangled during transportation.
- Call police immediately at (575) 526-0795 to report a stolen firearm, magazine or ammunition. Be ready to provide police with serial numbers, descriptions and, if possible, photos of your stolen property.