A rash of car break-ins and thefts over the weekend has Oswego-area law enforcement officers on the lookout. While no one ever asks to be the victim of a crime, it seems, from what we know at this point, that the victims could have done more to protect themselves from these thefts.

Three cars were stolen between 8:30 p.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday. The two thefts that occurred within Oswego city limits are being looked into by the city's police department. The third happened outside of city limits, so the Oswego County Sheriff's Office is investigating that one.

Two cars were also broken into and property was taken from them.

Police have not said what kinds of cars were stolen, nor what was taken from the three vehicles. They have said, however, that the three cars that were stolen were left unlocked with the keys inside. Once again, it is wrong to blame the victim, but most people would agree that leaving your car unlocked with the keys inside is not a very smart idea. Syracuse-area residents should always lock their vehicles and keep their keys with them. Car thefts are not exactly common, but then again, they are not unheard of, either.

It will be interesting to see if anyone is ever caught in connection with these crimes and, if someone is, what reasons or he she gives for perpetrating these thefts. Stealing a car is a bold move, so perhaps something drastic drove the culprit to commit this act.

Source: The Syracuse Post-Standard, "Oswego police, county sheriff investigate car thefts, larcenies," John Mariani, Jan. 23, 2012