ARLINGTON, Va. — Arlington County, much like so many other communities across the country, is trying to combat a constant issue: car thefts.
"I just wish people would think about the people this is affecting," said Isabella in an interview with WUSA9.
She saw on March 20, she parked her car in her Pentagon City building's secure garage. She had to go out of town for a funeral. She returned home that Sunday, but the next day when she went to go get her car from the garage, it was gone.
"I was out of town for a funeral and I came home and I went down to go drive somewhere and I couldn't find my car," she said.
She told WUSA9 she searched the garage and then checked with her building, who directed her to contact the police. That was on March 25.
She told WUSA9 that she eventually got a call from DC Police, who told her they'd found her car. She also learned that the person inside the car was arrested in connection to a shooting.
"I don't know if he was the one who actually stole it or what," she said.
Across the county, crime mapping data shows there have been 98 motor vehicle thefts in Arlington County since January 1.
That's compared to 80 motor vehicle thefts by this time last year.
Arlington County Police Department is offering free steering wheel lock devices to help prevent auto thefts ahead of the peak summer season. The anti-theft devices are free, while supplies last. Any Arlington residents as well as those who park their vehicles while at work in Arlington are eligible for one steering wheel lock per vehicle owner, while supplies last.
- Wednesday, April 17 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church parking lot, 830 23rd Street S., from 3 – 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 23 at Arlington Assembly of God parking lot, 4501 N. Pershing Drive, from 12 – 4 p.m.
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