Overland Park, KS - This month the Overland Park Police Department has responded to 28 reports of stolen vehicles.

Sixteen involve vehicles taken while they were "warming up." These crimes are happening in residential areas, as well as in business locations such as gas/convenience stores.

Of the 16, six were stolen from apartment complexes, six from single family homes and four at businesses. The thefts in the apartment parking lots and at single family homes tend to be in the early mornings. The vehicles stolen at businesses occur at all times of the day. Some of the stolen cars have been recovered in the hands of serious criminals who are using the vehicles while committing other crimes.

"Warming up" gives criminals an easy opportunity to steal cars, SUV's and trucks.

It is a violation of Overland Park City Ordinances to leave a vehicle running with the key(s) in the ignition. A driver is required to stop the engine, lock the ignition and remove the key from the ignition

The only exception to the ordinance is a vehicle equipped with a remote starter system, with no keys being left in the vehicle and the vehicles' doors must be locked.

The Unattended Motor Vehicle Ordinance (page 5 of 6) may be viewed on the City's Web Site www.opkansas.org, click on the City Government Link, then on the left side of the page click on Municipal Code and in the "search" box put in 12.04.107.

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Contact: Jim Weaver, Police PIO, 913/327-6937