WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Portable GPS units have become a hot item for thieves prowling Northwest Washington, contributing to a sudden spike in car break-ins, D.C. police said.

The Global Position System devices can sell for hundreds of dollars on the street or the Internet, making the hand-sized gadgets a quick and easy way for criminals to make money, said Cmdr. Larry McCoy of the Third District.

“They’re really going after these portable GPS systems,” McCoy said. “We saw a rather dramatic increase in thefts last month.”

In February, thefts from autos in the Second and Third police districts — home to neighborhoods like Georgetown, Columbia Heights, Cleveland Park and Adams Morgan — escalated by more than 60 percent compared with the previous year. The Third District reported 81 stolen GPS devices alone.

The trend has hit the suburbs, too. In Bethesda, auto break-ins went up by 60 percent in 2007 compared with 2006. Prince George’s County reported a 19 percent increase in car break-ins.

To stem the tide, law enforcement officials are using cars as bait and warning drivers to take the GPS devices into their homes.

The bait cars are parked in high-theft areas, and valuable items such as GPS devices, laptops and iPods are left inside.

A surveillance team will keep watch, waiting for someone to break in.

In early March or late February, police nabbed a suspect who was on probation for a homicide, McCoy said.

Police advised drivers to remove all valuable items from view, including sunglasses, coins and plug-in cords that may lead thieves to believe that electronic devices are in the car.

Even if GPS owners hide the device, they should clean the ring imprint left on the windshield by the suction cup mount, because thieves will be able to tell that the driver owns the navigation device.

Owners also should record the serial numbers from the GPS device so police can identify the item if it gets stolen, McCoy said.

smccabe@dcexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

8:37 PM MST on Thu., Jan. 17, 2008 re: "Using GPS to track down your daughter ... or your dog"

Examiner Reader said:
I would buy one just to make sure my 16 year old was safe. Finally technology is making the world a little better

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9:15 AM MST on Wed., Dec. 5, 2007 re: "GPS to track social workers, ticket writers in Baltimore Co."

Examiner Reader said:
12:16 must be one of the workers being tracked. How could it be a waste of taxpayers money to ensure that County workers are doing what they're being paid to do during their workday? As a taxpayer, I want to know an inspector isn't hanging out at McDonald's drinking coffee when they're supposed to be performing work. I hope the tracking results in the workers that are not doing their jobs being fired and replaced with folks that are willing to earn their salaries instead of those that think the County owes them a job!

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9:23 AM MST on Tue., Dec. 4, 2007 re: "GPS to track social workers, ticket writers in Baltimore Co."

Examiner Reader said:
12:16 needs to get a life. Tracking workers who are in danger is a good solution in addition to detering all slackers ( our tax dollar ). Good solution using up to date technology.

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12:16 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 3, 2007 re: "GPS to track social workers, ticket writers in Baltimore Co."

Examiner Reader said:
I hope they put one on Fred Homan and Suzane Berger. They need to keep track of these two rather than snow plow operators. What a waste of tax payers money. Here goes Smith again.

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