Pickpocketing, Purse-Snatching & Stolen Gifts?

Every year around this time, you'll hear a lot of the same advice from police—be careful when doing your Christmas shopping so someone doesn't steal your valuable gifts.

But just because you put the bag of new toys or electronics in the trunk and not on the front seat doesn't mean you can walk away—not according to Golden Valley Police Chief Stacy Carlson.

"Thieves are just waiting for that one second of opportunity," she said. "But there are some very good ways to take away that opportunity. It's especially important this time of year."

Carlson said it's not uncommon for the to get a call that someone's gifts have been stolen. In fact, on Thursday, a Golden Valley organization lost dozens of holiday gifts when a thief spotted them through the window. Carlson said it was a smash-and-grab that could have been avoided.

She said the same thing often happens when people are out doing their Christmas shopping, and says it's not enough to lock the doors or hide gifts out of sight.

"Put the gifts or your valuables in the trunk, but if you plan to go back inside for more shopping, move your car first," she said. "If someone's eyeing you as you load the car, they're probably not going to go through the trouble of following you around the parking lot—they'll move on to another potential target."

Carlson said it's easy to become a little too comfortable when you live in a community like Golden Valley where

"People view their home as a safe zone and think nothing bad can happen," she said. "But if you come home from buying Christmas presents, you leave the car unlocked and the garage door open, and then go inside for a few minutes, someone can easily get your garage door opener and come back when you're not home. It happens more than you might think."

Carlson has several ways you can avoid being a victim of theft this season:

• Beware of pickpocketers. Be conscious of your wallet or purse in high-traffic areas like restaurants, lobbies or concerts.
  
  
• Don't walk away from your shopping cart—during the holidays or during the rest of the year.
  "I've been at Cub and almost said something a few times," Carlson said. "Women leave their purses wide open on their shopping cart and go down an aisle for something. It only takes a second to grab the purse or something inside."
  
  
• If you go out of town, have someone shovel your snow. It's obvious no one is home if the driveway or sidewalk is a pristine blanket of snow.
  
  
• Keep an eye on your neighbors, and have them watch out for you. 
  
  
• Don't be afraid to call 911—even if it's just because something doesn't seem right.
  "People worry they're bothering us or they think the only time they can call 911 is if there's a serial killer outside their window," Carlson said. "If someone looks suspicious in your neighborhood or even if you just have a bad gut feeling, call us. That's what we're here for."

It may feel a bit overwhelming to think about all the ways a thief might be able to target you, but Carlson said it's better to focus on what you can do to keep that from happening.

"It can feel terrible that we've got to be so aware of this, but that's the way it is," she said. "When you actively work on prevention, that's how you stay in control. That's how you keep from being a victim."