BRIGHTON, N.Y. — Brighton has seen a significant rise in stolen car cases this summer. The Brighton Police Department is investigating the increase, which it says began as summer started.
News10NBC Chief Investigative Reporter Berkeley Brean spoke to the police chief on Thursday about the spike.
Chief David Catholdi of the Brighton Police said the rise might be linked to school being out, although there isn’t any hard evidence to support this.
“Some of what might be in play as well is where suspects find an environment where they can easily steal cars and find an easy path to get away,” Catholdi said. “I also think that school is out and that may play a part of it,” he added.
A look at the numbers
In April, there were five stolen cars reported in Brighton. The number rose to 11 in May, 19 in June, and 25 in July. In comparison, Gates reported five in April, two in May, one in June, and three in July. Webster had one in April, two in May, two in June, and one in July.
Despite the rise in stolen cars, other major crimes in the community, such as assaults, robberies, murders, and burglaries, are dropping to or below pre-COVID levels.
How are they doing it?
Berkeley Brean, News10NBC: “Are you finding that different cars are being stolen, the methods is different or is it the same things we saw at the height of it?”
Chief Catholdi, Brighton Police Department: “The method is different. So out of the 82 stolen cars we’ve had this year, 50 are still Hyundais and KIAs, and they are defeating it by breaking the handle on the door.”
So, Berkeley did some research. He found that ripping off the door handle exposes the door lock, allowing thieves to unlock the door. That method could also stop the alarm from going off.
Catholdi advised residents to lock their car doors and avoid leaving valuables inside, as this creates a “target rich environment.”
One victim’s plan
Just two weeks ago, Brighton Police responded to a stolen car crash near 12 Corners. Chief Catholdi said officers found two school-aged kids in the car.
That stolen car belonged to Loris Harris.
“They were young,” Harris told Berkeley. “12 years old and nine years old.”
So, Harris has a request for the parents of those two children.
“What I would like to do, I would love to be in contact with the parent,” said Harris. “Let’s talk. Let’s pray for our children. Let’s work together… to find a way to stop these kids from committing these crimes.”
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