Sheriff’s office urges caution after spike in vehicle burglaries across Park City

Locking car doors helps protect owners against "crimes of opportunity." Photo: Karina Syrotiuk // UnSplash

PARK CITY, Utah — Following an uptick in vehicle burglaries across Park City, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office is advising residents to take extra precautions to protect themselves from theft.

Most recently, four cars were reportedly broken into at Run A Muk dog park. One car had its window smashing, and the others were left unlocked. Two purses, cash, and bank cards were reportedly stolen from these vehicles.

The Run A Muk incident happened on a Saturday afternoon, when the parking lot was busy with people coming and going, and currently the sheriff’s office has no leads in the case. “You think someone smashing the window out would sort of draw some attention, but it didn’t,” said Sgt. Skyler Talbot with the SCSO. He continued that it’s not uncommon to see thefts like this happen and go unnoticed in busy areas. “A lot of times, we don’t get any investigative leads, or eyewitnesses or things like that.“

Emma Everett, owner of one of the burglarized cars, noted that she had left her car doors unlocked because the parking lot was busy and her teenage daughter was staying in the back seat. When she returned to the car less than half an hour later, her purse was missing.

After searching the car and her home thoroughly, she finally came to the conclusion that it must have been stolen. Her daughter, who Everett explained is on the spectrum and was probably hyper-focused on her phone, didn’t notice anyone open the car door. Thinking back on the event, Everett said the whole experience rattled her.

“I think we can take for granted, sometimes, that we do live in such a safe, amazing community that maybe sometimes we possibly get a little bit of a false sense of security,” said Everett. “It is pretty safe, but things still happen. So just to keep in mind that it’s not utopia, things still happen. And just be a little street wise.”

Advice from the Sheriff’s Office

Vehicle burglaries are considered “crimes of opportunity,” according to Talbot. Burglars will typically try door handles of empty cars to look for ones that are left unlocked, and take advantage when that opportunity strikes. “Anything folks can do to limit that opportunity for criminals is going to benefit them,” said Talbot. He recommended not leaving valuables in the car, parking strategically in locked garages or on lit streets and parking lots when possible, investing in video doorbells or security floodlights, and of course always locking car doors.

“We actually see a lot more vehicle burglaries that don’t involve any property damage,” said Talbot. “It’s just finding the right door that’s open.”

Multiple vehicle burglaries were also reported in late-November in the Bear Hollow, Silver Springs and Summit Park neighborhoods.