LANSING — A vehicle is stolen every 45 seconds in the U.S., and surprisingly nearly half of those thefts occur because a door was unlocked or the keys were left in the ignition.

In addition to locking their vehicle and taking their keys with them, there are many other precautions people can take to lessen the likelihood they will be a victim of auto theft, including:

• Closing windows when vehicles are parked

• Avoiding leaving valuables in vehicles, especially where they can be seen

• Leaving vehicles running unattended

• Parking in well-lit areas

• Keeping vehicles in garages, if possible

• Keeping exterior house lights on at night

• Installing a car alarm or using a theft deterrent device like a steering wheel lock or gear shift column lock

Below are some current trends that may be occurring in local neighborhoods:

• Wheel and tire theft: Watch for suspicious vehicles in neighborhoods that may be scoping out the area. Report suspicious and out-of-place persons to law enforcement.

• Vehicle sale scams: People who are purchasing or selling a vehicle on Craigslist should make the transaction at a Secretary of State’s office during business hours or at a police department. Do not invite strangers to homes or meet them in non-public places.

• Fraudulent vehicle titles: If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is. People should inspect the vehicle title closely before purchase and if anything looks odd, they should postpone the sale until they can confirm the legitimacy of the title.

Over the last 10 years, Michigan’s Automobile Theft Prevention Authority has assisted in the reduction of motor vehicle thefts in Michigan by 56 percent. The ATPA awards grants to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors’ offices and non-profit organizations for the investigation, apprehension, prosecution and prevention of motor vehicle thefts.

During the 2016 grant year, ATPA grant-funded motor vehicle theft teams recovered 6,614 stolen vehicles and parts worth approximately $38 million.

For more information about the ATPA, visit michigan.gov/atpa.