Car break-ins have been occurring frequently. Please be cautious, including business travelers. Even if you are away from your car for a short time, make sure to lock it and carry valuables such as laptops, smartphones, passports, and bags with you. If possible, avoid bringing unnecessary items when going out.
1. Incident Overview
- On Thursday, September 5, 2024, at around 7:45 PM, three Japanese men (one corporate expatriate and two business travelers) stopped by a convenience store in the Barrio de Guadalupe area of León City on their way home from work. After shopping for about three minutes inside the store and returning to their vehicle, they found that the rear window had been smashed. A backpack containing cash, credit cards, and other items, which had been placed in the trunk, was stolen.
- On Friday, September 6, 2024, at around 9:00 PM, a Japanese woman (a permanent resident) stopped by a drugstore in the Barrio de Guadalupe area of León City on her way home from an outing. After parking in the drugstore’s parking lot and shopping for about 1-2 minutes, she returned to find the left rear window shattered. A bag containing her wallet, laptop, passport, and other items, which had been placed out of sight on the front passenger side floor, was stolen.
2. Precautionary Measures
- In Mexico, car break-ins can occur at any time and in any location. Even if you are away from your vehicle for just a short period, always lock the doors and do not leave valuables inside the car. Be sure to carry them with you.
- The risk of being targeted increases in less populated areas and during certain times of day. Street parking is particularly risky as there are no security personnel, so avoid it whenever possible. Even when parking in a lot, areas far from the store or outside of a security guard’s view also present high risks. Always assess your surroundings carefully when parking.
- While storing items in the trunk is an effective way to avoid leaving them in plain sight, if a criminal sees you, it could make your vehicle a prime target. Place any items in the trunk before leaving for your destination. Also, avoid removing or placing items in the trunk when leaving your vehicle, as this may alert criminals to the presence of valuables. (For hatchback-type vehicles, ensure that items are not visible from outside.)
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