Quad Cities area police unite to combat stolen vehicles

Quad City metro police are seeing an alarming trend: more stolen vehicles. And, they say that leads to even more dangerous crime.

At a news conference Fri. April 7, 2017, police showed recent surveillance videos demonstrating of how easily cars have been stolen in the Quad Cities In one example, a car can be seen pulling up next to an unattended vehicle at a gas station. The passenger gets out and slips into the unattended car and steals it.

Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorski said they are asking for help from the public to prevent these thefts because they can create much more serious crime.

"Once having possession of stolen vehicles, suspects are driving recklessly; endangering our communities; committing thefts; committing burglaries; involved in shootings; committing hit-and-run crashes," Sikoski said.

Police say they are focused on prevention and urging you to lock your cars, don't leave them running unattended and always take your keys.