Help Eliminate Auto Thefts Reports as the Temperature Drops, Auto Theft Rises; Drivers Trying to Stay Warm Leave Cars Open to Theft

      Help Eliminate Auto Thefts Teams Up With Statewide Law Enforcement
               To Remind Drivers to Keep Cars Safe This Winter

    LIVONIA, Mich., Jan. 22 Statewide auto-theft prevention
program Help Eliminate Auto Thefts (HEAT(R)) wants to turn up the heat on auto
thieves during the winter deep chill.  Recent sub-zero temperatures have
Michigan residents looking for easy ways to keep themselves out of the cold,
but drivers looking to keep their autos warm by running them in driveways or
parking lots unattended are making themselves vulnerable to auto theft.
    This winter, HEAT(R), which operates a confidential, toll-free tip reward
hotline, 1-800-242-HEAT, is teaming up with law enforcement across the state
to urge drivers to practice simple auto-theft prevention habits, even if it
means a few more minutes of discomfort.
    "Whenever we see sub-zero weather, we see a rise in cars being stolen --
at gas stations and even right out of people's driveways -- because people are
trying to take a shortcut to stay warm," said Lt. Robert Ennis of the Detroit
Police Department Commercial Auto Theft Section.  "It is tempting to keep your
car running when you run in to pay for your gas, but you are making it very
easy for someone to steal your car while you are inside."
    Lansing, Mich. police have reported a spike in cars being stolen at homes
and stores, and police say a great number of them are cars left running
unattended in the cold weather.  "We are seeing a lot of cars being stolen at
gas stations and convenience stores this winter," said Lt. Steve Person of the
Lansing Police Department.  "A car left running while the owner is getting a
coffee in the morning becomes a great break for an opportunistic car thief."
    HEAT(R) has offered some simple auto theft prevention tips for a safe
winter:
    *  Remember to lock your doors, take your keys from the ignition and don't
leave your car running unattended - all common sense rules that drivers often
ignore when temperatures drop.
    *  If you are insistent on running your car in the morning to warm up
before you leave your house, install an automatic starter, which allows you to
run your car without keys in the ignition and the doors locked.
    *  Don't tempt thieves! Never leave your keys in the ignition or on the
seat and put away valuables -- such as laptops and cell phones -- even when
just running into a store.
    *  A second layer of auto protection is recommended -- such as audible
alarms, steering wheel locks, and Vehicle Identification Number etchings -- to
discourage auto thieves.
    *  Report what you know about auto theft to your local police department
and HEAT(R)'s confidential tip-reward line, 1-800-242-HEAT.

    According to Detective Don Lusk of the Macomb County Auto Theft Squad,
drivers just have to get back to basics and use common sense.  "You wouldn't
leave $20,000 sitting on the street curb unattended, so why would anyone leave
a valuable car running unattended?" asked Lusk.  "Nobody is ever expecting
auto theft to happen to them, but it does happen, and once is once too often
when it happens to you."
    HEAT urges drivers to keep auto theft in mind, even when all that they
want to think about is staying warm.  Terri Miller, director of HEAT(R), says
drivers don't always realize that thieves are looking for them to make a
mistake, but that it is easy to stop a thief cold.  "Auto thieves know that
when the thermometer drops, it is going to be easier to find cars to steal,"
said Miller.  "By doing something as simple as shutting your car off and
taking the keys with you when you run into a convenience store, you are
protecting your car -- and yourself -- from being a victim of auto theft."
    Michigan residents with auto theft information can call the HEAT(R)
hotline, 1-800-242-HEAT, to confidentially report auto theft related
information, including insurance fraud.  Tipsters are rewarded up to $1,000 if
their tip leads to the arrest and prosecution of a suspected car thief or a
person suspected of auto theft related insurance fraud.  Rewards up to $10,000
are issued if a tip results in the arrest and binding over for trial of a
suspected theft ring and/or chop shop operators.  HEAT(R) also rewards $2,000
for information leading to the issuance of a warrant for a carjacking suspect.
    HEAT(R)'s hotline is monitored by the Michigan State Police and funded by
Michigan auto insurance companies.  Since its inception in 1985, HEAT(R) has
awarded more than $2.4 million to tip callers.  During that period, the
HEAT(R) tip line has received 5,893 calls leading to the arrest of 2,574
suspects and has recovered 3,153 vehicles and other stolen property valued at
more than $36 million.