( WJET/WFXP )– Erie winters are known for their snowfall and often bitter cold temperatures that make it quite enticing to warm your car up before going anywhere but the county’s district attorney’s office is warning residents to avoid just that.
The Erie County District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz’s office is reminding residents that leaving their cars running, unlocked and unattended to warm up, also called puffers, leaves them open to having their car stolen.
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The DA’s office called those little puffs of smoke when cars are left unattended a smoke signal to potential thieves making cars left running in public spaces a quick and easy target.
The DA’s office also said newer cars are valued for joy rides and organized theft rings that operate out of other areas or potentially overseas while older models are valued for their parts saying they’re worth more chopped up an intact.