KANSAS CITY, Mo. --
Cars are becoming the target of more and more crimes across Kansas City.
It’s a trend you may have noticed on Facebook as people post for help.
There have been more than 2,000 car thefts in Kansas City since the beginning of this year, according to Kansas City Missouri Police.
Many of the cars stolen were unlocked and often the keys were left inside.
Platte Woods resident Kimberly Rahmaoui says that wasn’t the case for her.
“My truck was locked and both keys are accounted for,” said Rahmaoui.
She says her white Toyota Tacoma was stolen from her driveway this week while she was home.
“She came back and told me her truck was stolen and my first thought was she was playing a joke,” said Michael Vernon, Rahmaoui’s husband.
“I felt violated, I felt mad, I felt sad,” said Rahmaoui.
There have been 2,025 motor vehicle thefts since the beginning of 2017, according to the Kansas City Police Department's monthly crime summary.
That number is up from 1,699 during the same time frame in 2017.
“They need to just stop doing this to people," said Rahmaoui. "They need to work for their own stuff."
Rahmaoui says her white Toyota Tacoma is still missing. She is worried this is growing trend, so she made sure to inform her neighbors.
“Everybody is already aware of what has happened because we don’t want it to happen to somebody else," said Rahmaoui.
Insurance agencies have a few basic tips to help ensure vehicles don't end up in the hands of thieves:
- Keep the vehicle locked at all times
- Never leave the keys inside
- Park the vehicle in a well-lit area
