Media Contact: Lt. Dave Shaffer | 217-403-7030 | [email protected]
On Monday, August 22 at approximately 11:06PM, Champaign Police apprehended three suspects in the 900 block of Waterview Way in connection with recent area burglaries to motor vehicles (BMVs). Arrested were 21-year-old Darion Edwards of Urbana and two juvenile males—15 and 16 years old, of Champaign.
Police who were patrolling the area in response to recent vehicle burglaries, observed five males attempting to open car doors as they rode bicycles through a nearby apartment complex. As officers approached the suspects, all five fled on bike. After a short foot pursuit, officers apprehended three of the five suspects and seek to identify the other two.
Champaign Police have seen a significant increase in BMVs, receiving 67 calls for service as of August 15, 2016. Police continue to urge citizens to remove any valuable items from your car, always lock your doors, and remain alert in your neighborhood, reporting anything unusual or suspicious.
During an in-progress burglary or emergency, citizens should call 9-1-1 immediately. If needing to file a vehicle burglary report, please call METCAD non-emergency at 217-333-8911.
Anonymous tips may also be shared via Crime Stoppers: by calling 217-373-8477 (TIPS); reporting online at www.373tips.com; or by texting “CCTIP” plus the crime information to 274637 (CRIMES).
Lock It. Hide It. Keep It. Burglary Prevention Tips for Vehicles:
- Don’t leave vehicles running unoccupied
- Always lock your vehicle doors and take the keys with you when not in use, even in your driveway
- Do not leave spare keys in your car, even if you keep your door locked
- Do not leave unattended personal belongings in plain sight, no matter where your vehicle is parked
- Install alarms and/or “kill switch” devices in vehicles to help prevent break-in
- When leaving your vehicle, remove GPS, Bluetooth, and other equipment from plain view and lock it in your trunk
- Don’t leave mail in your vehicle with the address label visible
- At night, always park your vehicle in a well-lit and visible place