Auto Burglaries Down, But More Can Be Done

Auto burglaries in Las Cruces are down 39 percent in the first seven months of 2026 compared to the same period last year, but police believe more can be done to prevent the crime.

Las Cruces police are encouraging drivers to remove or hide valuables, and lock vehicle doors when leaving them unattended, to help prevent becoming a victim of an auto burglary.

Through July 2026, Las Cruces police recorded 321 auto burglaries compared to the 525 reported in the first seven months of 2025. Even with the lower numbers, Las Cruces is still on pace to exceed 500 auto burglary reports for the year.

The overwhelming majority of auto burglaries are considered crimes of opportunity where perpetrators put forth little effort into burglarizing a vehicle. They either roam neighborhoods and parking lots checking for unlocked doors, or they see something valuable inside a vehicle and break in.

Police encourage motorists to follow these tips to help limit the chances of becoming a victim of auto burglary:

• Roll up windows and lock doors when leaving vehicle unattended.
• Keep items of intrigue (backpacks, luggage, packages, shopping bags, electronics, tools, etc.) out of sight.
• Remove or properly secure tools and other gear commonly carried in trailers or pickup beds.
• Do not leave firearms or ammunition inside an unattended vehicle.
• Do not leave spare keys or garage door openers inside your vehicle.
• Refrain from leaving key fobs inside an unattended vehicle.
• Do not leave bank cards, cash or important documents inside your vehicle.
• Remove key from the ignition, and refrain from leaving your vehicle unlocked and unattended while running a quick errand or pumping gasoline.
• If possible, park in a well-lit area or inside a garage.
• Use a self-arming audible vehicle alarm system.
• Consider installing a monitored home security system or a motion-sensor ‘smart’ alarm, such as a Ring or Nest doorbell systems, that overlooks the driveway. Such smart alarms record video and send alerts via cell phone when motion is detected.

Those who witness suspicious behavior or activities – such as people or unknown vehicles roaming residential neighborhoods late at night or during early-morning hours – are asked to immediately call police at (575) 526-0795.