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What to Expect When you Car Has Been Stolen And Tips to Help Prevent It When Your Car Has Been Stolen: 1. Time is of the essence in reporting that your vehicle was stolen. Some cars that are stolen end up in "chop shops" for parts when stolen. 2. After a report is taken, the vehicle information will be entered in the Colorado and National Crime Computer. This information is available to any law enforcement officer in the United States and Canada. Therefore, any officer coming in contact with this vehicle, for whatever reason, will learn that it is stolen. This information stays in the computer for five years. 3. A detective will receive the report and will make sure the computer entry has been made and that it is accurate. 4. The description of the stolen vehicle will be distributed among Broomfield Police officers and disseminated to other agencies in the Denver Metro area. 5. A detective will contact you on any progress made in finding your car. 6. If your vehicle is found in the Denver Metro area, an immediate attempt will be made to notify you to arrange for you to pick up your car (assuming it is drivable). Your car will also be processed for any evidence. 7. If your vehicle is found outside of the Denver Metro area, and earlier attempts to contact you were unsuccessful, you were not available, or the vehicle was not drivable, the vehicle will be towed to a secure facility. You will be notified to reclaim your vehicle. There will, unfortunately, be a tow charge for which you will be responsible. This charge varies with each jurisdiction and depends on how long the vehicle was impounded at the facility. Depending on your type of coverage, your insurance may cover this cost. 8. Unless the police are previously notified of an insurance settlement, you will be the person the police will call in the event your vehicle is recovered. If your insurance company has paid you for the loss of this vehicle, it is your responsibility to notify them of its recovery. Theft Prevention Tips: 1. Never leave keys in your vehicle, even when parked in your garage or driveway. 2. Do not leave your car running or unattended for any reason or any length of time, especially in a parking lot of shopping center. In cold weather, it is not necessary to let your car run for a long time to warm up. Car thieves watch for these opportunities (car thieves call running cars "puffers".). 3. Do not hide an extra key anywhere on the vehicle. 4. Immobilize your vehicle: Buy a device that locks the steering wheel (there are several on the market that attach to the wheel, to the brake pedal, or to the console). 5. Activate the alarm system on your car. 6. When selling your car: Never let the "buyer" take the car anywhere without you present, even if they offer to leave their driver's license or their vehicle (which may be stolen). Do not accept a personal check, especially an on out-of-state account, unless you can verify that the funds are available. ---PAGE BREAK--- Do not relinquish the car or the title without getting payment in full. Take your license plates off the vehicle before allowing the buyer to take possession. Keep a copy of your vehicle registration and Proof of Insurance in your wallet or purse. The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles issues you two for that purpose, as does your insurance company. In the unfortunate instance that your car is stolen, the documents above will ensure that your vehicle's information gets into the computer quickly. Please feel free to contact the Broomfield Police Department if you have any additional questions. EMERGENCY 9-1-1 NON-EMERGENCY (Voice/TDD) [PHONE REDACTED] Detectives [PHONE REDACTED] Patrol [PHONE REDACTED] Victim Services [PHONE REDACTED]