PEORIA -- It's good news and bad news, says the head of Peoria's airport regarding a rash of stolen cars in its parking lot.
Nearly a dozen cars have been stolen in the past few weeks, said Gene Olson, the director of the Gen. Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport. They've been stolen by people who are coming in under false pretenses, he said, and not returning the cars.
The good news? They've recovered the cars and made seven arrests this week regarding the thefts, Olson said.
But there still have been some privately owned vehicles taken from the main lot and from the overflow parking area at the airport.
Olson said in nearly every case, the cars that were taken were either left unlocked, had keys left in the vehicle or both. He urged patrons to hide valuables when they park their cars and to lock all the doors and the trunk.
He also said the Peoria County Sheriff's Office has stepped up its patrols at the facility and that shuttle driers are being briefs on things to look out for.
An attempt to reach Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell wasn't immediately successful.
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