New report claims Albany a "hot-spot" for car thefts
In 2008 Albany reported 485 motor vehicle thefts according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Out of 361 metropolitan areas Albany hits the list at 116, that number is up from 174 in 2007.
"A lot of our motor vehicle thefts occur as a result of people leaving their keys in their cars and also leaving their cars running when they're just making a quick stop at a grocery store or convenience store. Just running in for those five seconds could be very valuable to you losing your property," said Phyllis Banks-Whitley, Media Manager for the Albany Police Department.
Other agencies say that leaving valuables in plain sight is also a trigger for criminals and that when recovered stolen vehicles aren't usually in very good shape.
"Where people are on one side of town, they need a ride to another side of town where they live, they steal a car. They park it and they torch it to cover up the fruits of the crime from the motor vehicle theft," said Arson Investigator Sam Harris.
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