SPOKANE, Wash. - Although car theft in the Spokane area is declining, police said Spokane still ranks high in the nation for car thefts.
One Spokane woman knows that first hand. Robbie Griggs, who is 88-years-old, had her locked car stolen right out of her driveway. She called KREM2 On Your Side to investigate ways to protect her car because she now feels unsafe.
"I do a lot of things," Griggs explained. "I want that to continue."
There are active people, and then there is Griggs. For this octogenarian, each week is like clockwork. Mondays, she said she takes a creative writing class at Spokane Falls Community College. Wednesdays, she said she learns about how to use a tablet, and on Fridays she said she teaches English to immigrants. All at the tender age of 88!
"I inherited good genes, which I'm thankful for," Griggs said.
This week though, Griggs' plans changed.
"The car wasn't there, I couldn't fathom it, "Griggs explained. "I thought, what in the world? I thought maybe I put in my old parking space."
Griggs said she stood speechless in the parking lot. The parking stall where she had parked her car was empty.
"I looked around, uh oh, no car," Griggs said.
Just like that, Griggs said her 1989 maroon Camry, her link to the outside world, had been snatched.
"It totally alters my lifestyle, totally, from being free to come and go to do the things that support my life," Griggs said.
However, despite Griggs' hardship, 2 On Your Side learned that her story is becoming less common in Spokane.
The number of car thefts is down 7% this year according to police. Officers said 1,600 cars have been stolen, which is 130 cases less than in 2013.
To keep the number of car thefts down, police suggest considering some unconventional methods to protect your ride.
First, police suggest getting rid of the trash in your car and keeping it cleaner. Authorities said they noticed that thieves do not usually steal cars that are well kept. Officer said that is because there is an assumption that people with well kept cars invest in security systems to protect their pride and joy.
If you do not have an alarm in your car though, officers suggested putting a blinking light near the windshield anyway. Even though you do not have an alarm, officers said this will fool thieves into thinking your car is armed.
"I really feel victimized," Griggs said. "I was in my apartment, safe and sound, and somebody came and took my car without my permission. I'm very, very angry about that."
Shortly after Griggs spoke to KREM2, police said they found her car with only minimal damage. However, despite the happy ending, Griggs has a message for whoever stole her car.
"I'd say that it's extremely inconsiderate, thoughtless, and unfair," Griggs said.
Officers also said, the fact that Griggs' car was so old probably made it more attractive to thieves. Older cars do not have the same security systems as newer models. It is for that reason that Hondas and Toyotas from the early 1990s are still the most stolen types of cars, according to police.
