Omaha, Nebraska – The Omaha Police Department has reported a significant surge in automobile thefts within the city, with the latest data indicating a substantial 72% increase in such incidents in comparison to the previous year.
An Omaha resident, David Arrington, is grappling with the harsh reality of this statistic, as he recently fell prey to this escalating crime.
“We made road trips from here to North Carolina to Alabama, just quality time with my son because that’s the only truck he’s ever known that I had,” Arrington recounted, reflecting on the deep sentimental value of his vehicle. “There’s a lot of memories associated with that truck.”
Arrington’s cherished Chevy Silverado was illicitly taken earlier this week from an apartment complex in the vicinity of 176th and Maple, somewhere between 11 a.m. on June 18 and 11 p.m. on June 19. Arrington expressed his disbelief that his vehicle, aged over two decades, would be a target for theft.
“That’s the strangest thing,” Arrington commented. “He may have parked it off to the side of the apartment building, but this is a 21-year-old vehicle. I mean she’s got rust, but it’s just been a solid vehicle.”
Offering advice to citizens, Omaha Police Officer Michael Pecha stresses the importance of keeping personal belongings hidden from view and ensuring vehicles are locked at all times. He emphasizes that the theft of motor vehicles is a crime of opportunity, often dependent on the visibility of valuable items.
In the unfortunate event of a vehicle being stolen or damaged, the Omaha Police Department urges residents to reach out to their non-emergency hotline at 402-444-4877 or through their official website.
The license plate for Arrington’s stolen Blue Chevy Silverado, registered in Iowa, reads “I-K-M 5-1-9.”
