SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Tied for number 5 as the most impactful local story of 2021 as voted by the KELO.com News Team is the number of stolen guns and vehicles this year in Sioux Falls.
As violent crimes decreased this year according to Sioux Falls Police, vehicle and gun thefts rose significantly.
During the city’s yearly crime recap, Police Chief Jon Thum highlighted the dramatic rise in vehicle thefts by pointing out that during two consecutive weekends in November, nearly 30 vehicles were stolen in Sioux Falls.
Almost all of those vehicles were unlocked with the keys inside.
Thum says that stolen vehicles and firearms are often used in other crimes around the area.
The problem is affecting rural residents too.
As numerous stolen weapons were recovered from a Sioux Falls home earlier this month, none of the guns found were stolen inside of city limits, but from surrounding communities.
While most of the stolen vehicles had keys inside of them, most of the stolen firearms came from unlocked vehicles.
As you go through your bedtime routine, try to get in the habit of locking your car doors so you don’t become apart of the statistics.
Remember to remove any weapons from your vehicle, and NEVER leave an unattended firearm in an unlocked car.
