A car theft on Washington’s East Main Street last week is sounding off a familiar message from the Washington Police Department: lock your vehicle doors and secure your valuables. According to Washington Police and Fire Services Director Stacy Drakeford, the break-in and vehicle theft occurred Oct. 1.

“Two gentlemen got into a vehicle that had one of those key fobs in it and they were able to drive a few blocks away before it cut off,” Drakeford said.

While the vehicle was recovered, the WPD has yet to apprehend the suspects in the theft. Drakeford said that the break-in on Oct. 1 was the third in the neighborhood since December, but the issue of theft from unlocked vehicles remains a major problem citywide.

“I can’t stress that enough,” Drakeford said, encouraging residents to lock their vehicle doors. “The other night, they found some suspicious people down there and went through the neighborhood to make sure everything was copacetic, but it’s not like it was a rash of break-ins.”

Earlier this year, the Washington Police Department, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Pitt County Sheriff’s Office and Greenville Police Department worked together to address a string of more than 30 vehicle break-ins that occurred in both counties, charging five suspects with nearly 150 felonies. In almost every instance, the vehicles targeted were unlocked.

Anyone with information about the vehicle theft Oct. 1 can call the Washington Police Department at 252-946-1444.