PORTAGE PARK — At least four cars were reported stolen in Portage Park and Dunning since Jan. 1 after being left unlocked, running unattended or both, police said.
In two incidents, someone drove away with cars that had been left idling and unlocked, according to a Thursday alert. One thief got into an unlocked car that wasn't running, and another used a "slim jim" to pry open a car that was running but locked.
The car thefts were reported at the following times and locations:
• At 5:15 p.m. on Jan. 4 in the 8400 block of West Forest Preserve Drive
• At 8:35 p.m. on Jan. 16 in the 5500 block of West School Street
• At 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 17 in the 5200 block of West School Street
• At 6:15 a.m. on Jan. 18 in the 7000 block of West Cornelia Avenue
On Jan. 12, a woman jumped into a man's unattended car in the 4800 block of West Warwick Avenue and crashed it into five cars and a wall. She was arrested and charged with vehicular hijacking.
Police urged residents to never leave their cars unlocked or running while unattended, and to try to park in a "well-lit location."
Anyone with information on the thefts is encouraged to call detectives at 312-744-8263.
