ROYAL POLICE FORCE OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

Office of Strategic Communications (STRATCOM)

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Police Urge Vehicle Owners to Secure Vehicles at All Times

St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, Wednesday, January 14, 2026

The police are expressing concern over the increasing number of vehicle thefts, as a result of owners leaving their vehicles unsecured and unattended, and in some cases with keys left inside.

The police are also of the view that the stolen vehicles are used to facilitate other criminal activities, thereby posing a significant threat to public safety.

The concerns stem from recent reports of stolen motor vehicles in the St. John’s and Old Parham Road areas.

In one incident, the owner of an orange Suzuki Ignis reported that his vehicle was stolen from St. John’s Street between 7:05 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on January 13, 2026. Investigations revealed that the vehicle was left unattended with the keys inside the ignition.

Also, the owner of a white Kia Sorento reported that his vehicle was stolen from Old Parham Road sometime between 11:00 p.m. on January 12 and 8:00 a.m. on January 13.

The Police Administration is urging all vehicle owners to take responsibility for securing their vehicles at all times. This includes:

▪︎ Never leaving keys in the ignition

▪︎ Ensuring vehicles are locked, even when parked for short periods

▪︎ Parking in well-lit and secure areas where possible

▪︎ Reporting suspicious activity immediately to the police

The police continue to rely on the cooperation and vigilance of the public as it works to prevent crime and build safer communities. Members of the public with information relating to stolen vehicles or suspicious activity are encouraged to contact the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) or the nearest police station.

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