Police in the University City and Providence divisions say they have seen an uptick in thefts from unlocked autos.

In the past 3 to 4 months, there have been several incidents where unlocked garages were entered to get to the vehicles parked inside. These incidents have primarily happened

In the Myers Park and Eastover neighborhoods, the thieves are gaining access to unlocked car left in unlocked garages. In at least two incidences, house keys were left inside the vehicles and attempts were made to enter the homes.

Police warn residents to keep vehicles locked. Garages should be closed, and entrances to the home should be locked as well. Make sure that you remove valuables from your vehicles, including electrical cords that might indicate your car has a GPS device or other electronics.

Officers in the Providence Division also report that FedEx, Postal Service and UPS packages left on front porches are being stolen.

They suggest:

• Choose a shipping option that requires you to sign for delivery.
• Check on the package's delivery status online so you can try to be home when it arrives.
• Leave a note asking the delivery service to leave the package with a neighbor.
• Have the package shipped to another location where someone can receive it, like your office or the home of a relative or friend that is home during the day.
• Ask the delivery service to hold your package for customer pick-up.

File a theft report immediately if you think your package was stolen, and contact your credit card company to find out if it offers a purchase-protection service that might reimburse you for stolen purchases.

Homicide victim identified
Police have identified the victim of a Wednesday morning killing in uptown Charlotte as Christopher Lee Satterfield, 35.

Satterfield was shot and killed at about 2:15 a.m. in the 800 block of Cates Street, just across the street from Elmwood Cemetery and some two blocks from W. Trade Street.

A witness told police he heard gunfire and looked out his window and saw a man standing over the victim. The witness said the subject was gone by the time he got downstairs to check on the victim.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a homicide detective, or call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Missing man found safe
Titus Boswell, 25, has been found safe in Gastonia, police reported Thursday.

Earlier this month, Boswell’s family reported him missing. They told police they had not seen Boswell in several weeks and that it was unusual for him to go more than a day without contacting family members.

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