Never Leave Keys in an Unattended Vehicle

Leaving keys in a vehicle’s ignition when stepping away removes every barrier between a passing thief and a stolen car, regardless of whether the engine is running. In May 2026, a 23-year-old Sangre Grande man parked his red Toyota Corolla outside Rambarran’s Bar on Tumpuna Road South, switched off the engine, and left the keys in the ignition before entering the bar with a friend. When he returned nearly two hours later, the vehicle was gone. A car with keys inside requires no tools, no bypass of the immobiliser, and no window break — the theft takes seconds and leaves no physical evidence. The presence of other vehicles or people nearby does not deter this type of theft because the act is indistinguishable from a person getting into their own car and driving off.

Steps to follow:

• Remove your keys from the ignition every single time you leave your vehicle, even for a brief stop — “I’ll only be two minutes” is long enough for an opportunistic theft.
• Never leave a spare key inside the vehicle or attached underneath the body; thieves who find one set of keys will search for another before departing.
• Confirm your vehicle is locked by physically checking the door handle after using a remote fob — signal interference near bars, markets, or public venues can prevent the lock command from completing.
• Do not leave your vehicle’s engine running while you step inside any premises, no matter how briefly — a running vehicle is an explicit invitation.
• If your vehicle is stolen, report it to police immediately with the registration number, colour, make, model, and last known location; early reports significantly increase the chance of recovery before the vehicle is stripped or moved across districts.
• Consider fitting a steering wheel lock or pedal lock as a secondary visible deterrent — physical barriers slow a thief even if they already have access to the keys.