Police steal from you so burglars don’t have to

Police in the East Rock section of New Haven are trying to send a strong message to residents to lock their doors amid several car break-ins and they are doing it an a rather unconventional way.

Starting today, police who notice valuables left in plain view inside unlocked cars will take them to keep them safe from would-be burglars, according to the New Haven Register.

There have been eight car break-ins in one week alone and Lt. Herbert Sharp told the Register that this strategy will prevent burglars from getting expensive items from cars, while forcing residents to make a trip to the police station to pick up belongings.

After taking the valuables, police will either leave a note or call the resident.

There is a noisy video at the link, via Craig Palsson.