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Milwaukee police issue another warning to Audi owners

Posted at 6:21 PM, Aug 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-20 19:22:08-04
MILWAUKEE --  Thieves targeting one particular brand of German luxury cars are at it again. 
 
TODAY'S TMJ4 first reported the story back in April. However, it appears, even after several arrests, the break-ins are happening again. 
 
“Get rid of that spare key if you own an Audi," Bryan Ward, a resident of Milwaukee's lower east side, said. 
 
"Lock the doors, and [invest in a] car alarm," Ward continued. 
 
Police noticed an uptick in break-ins a few months ago. They say the spare key in the glove box of an Audi is the very thing attracting thieves. Audi’s made in the years ranging from 2008 through 2017 typically come with a spare or valet key that can be stored in the glove box and used to start and/or steal the vehicle. 
 
“My car gets parked on the street on in my driveway fairly regularly," Ward said. 
 
"I think in three years one time I think I left my car unlocked and I think the change was missing," he continued. 
But not everyone can say the same. Before the start of the weekend, an apartment complex on the lower east side issued a warning to its residents stating police say thieves who targeted Audis earlier in the year are starting to strike again leading to in an increase of police officers patrolling the area.
 
The warning went on to say: 
 
“The break-ins subsided for a while because the police had several of these individuals in jail and charged. They have since been released and are back out on the streets and starting to hit again.The police department is urging anyone that owns an Audi, to remove this key from the Glove box.”
 
According to police, they have made a recent arrest, and they currently have someone connected to this crime in custody.