Dear Sir or Madam,

This letter is to notify your organization of an increase in motorcycle thefts that are occurring in apartment complexes. The thefts appear to occur in the nighttime hours between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am. They occur on all days of the week and do not seemed confined to one particular day. The suspects are targeting apartment complexes due to the large number or motorcycles parked there. It is believed they are using pickup trucks, cargo, and/or mini-vans to load the motorcycles into at which time they are driven away undetected. It does not matter that the motorcycle has a wheel lock engaged or that the ignition keys are not available as the suspects are having the ignitions switched out. There have also been a few instances where bolt cutters have been used to cut the lock on any motorcycles secured to a fixed object.
It is respectfully requested that your organization distribute this letter to your residents or otherwise inform those who own motorcycles and house them on the premises of the situation so that they might take precautions. Some precautions include equipping their motorcycle with LoJack or other GPS tracking equipment, parking their motorcycle as securely as possible in a well-lit, highly visible area, and securing them in an enclosed facility such as a garage if they plan on going out of town.
Residents should be urged to be vigilant of any vans or pickup trucks in the area that they do not recognize especially during late hours. If any suspicious vehicles or activities are seen residents are urged to call the police department immediately: 911 for emergencies or (757) 385-5000 for non-emergencies. If you or any of your residents have any questions please do not hesitate to call me or any member of the Auto Theft Unit. The Auto Theft Unit is available 7 days a week from 8:30 am to 2:00 am. Thank you.

Respectfully,

Detective M.S. Flynn
Virginia Beach Police Dept.
Investigative Division
Municipal Center – Bldg. 11
2509 Princess Anne Rd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
(757) 385-4466 Desk
(757) 385-4101 Main Bureau
(757) 385-4746 Fax

** CRIME ALERT**

The Virginia Beach Police Department Auto Theft Unit is investigating MOTORCYLE THEFTS.

WHERE: Apartment Complex Parking Lots
WHEN: Night and Early Morning Hours
HOW: It is suspected that the suspects are Loading the Motorcycles
into trucks, vans, or storage vehicles (U-Haul and Ryder).
WHY: EASY TARGETS – Many Victims are in the Military
& Leave their Motorcycles Unattended in the Parking
Lots.

HELP PREVENT THE THEFT OF YOUR MOTORCYCLE:

• LOCK UP AND STORE your motorcycle in an enclosed secure area if possible; otherwise chain it up.
• INSTALL AN AUDIBLE ALARM SYSTEM (new systems are sold in most bike shops and mount to front brake area).
• ALWAYS park in well-lit areas.
• ALWAYS report suspicious persons and vehicles in the area to the police.

** IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON AUTO OR MOTORCYLE THEFT RELATED CRIME, CALL 1-800-947-HEAT. IF YOUR TIP LEADS TO AN ARREST, YOU COULD EARN UP TO $25,000 **

PLEASE CONTACT THE VIRGINIA BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT’S AUTO THEFT UNIT AT 757-385-4101 OR THE CRIME PREVENTION UNIT AT
385-1757 FOR FURTHER INFO.