Roseville Police remind you of a few tips to avoid becoming a victim of theft.

• Be alert of others around you. Thieves often work in teams to provide distractions. Retail pickpockets often engage you in conversation to get closer to your possessions.
• Shop in a group or with a friend if possible. Criminals often target people who are alone.  
• Close your purse to make it harder for a pickpocket to remove contents. Do not leave your purse unattended in the shopping cart.
• Do not set down your billfold, credit cards, purse or cell phone.
• Do not leave purchases unattended while browsing or stopping for a snack.
• Park in a well-lit area. Lock your vehicle and activate your car alarm. Thieves only need a few seconds to snatch something from your car. They are less likely to break into a vehicle if they can be seen or heard by others.
• Do not leave valuables in your vehicle where they are visible from the outside. Take them with you; if that is not possible, place valuables out of sight before you reach your destination.
• If you plan to return to shop after placing purchases into your automobile, drive to another parking spot away from anybody who could have seen you place items in your trunk. Thieves look for people dropping off purchases into their automobile.    
• Keep track of receipts in case your items are stolen. This helps police understand the value of the items taken, and the information may assist you in filing insurance claims. When purchasing items, take the receipt from the cashier rather than leaving it in the bag.

Thieves don’t limit their activity to the holiday season. These tips can help all year. If you see any suspicious activity, immediately call 9-1-1. It’s important that the police hear from you right away to protect yourself and your neighbors.