Cop's Corner Published Oct. 28, 2009 AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- On Oct. 22, an active duty military family member reported that they noticed their purse was stolen. The stolen purse contained one military identification card, one stateside license and one AFI driver's license, two Codice Fiscale cards, two social security cards and three credit/bank cards. The active duty military family member further stated they properly secured their vehicle and the offender must have gained access into the vehicle through a tear in the convertible top. These types of crimes are crimes of opportunity. Even though the vehicle may be secured, if an offender sees items left in plain view they may be more likely to break into the vehicle. If you must keep something in a vehicle for some time, consider leaving that item in the glove box, center console or even the trunk. On Oct. 21, an AAFES employee reported that they had detained an active duty military family member for shoplifting makeup. The AAFES employee stated they witnessed the person place eye shadow into her purse. A barment letter to the facility was issued on scene. The loss prevention team at the Aviano Base Exchange is very good at their job. If you are planning on taking anything from the BX without paying for it, you will be caught. AAFES participates in the Civil Recovery Act which allows them to fine an individual up to $250 and may ban them from the facility they shoplifted from. On Oct. 21, an active duty military member reported that someone damaged their Renault-Laguna rental car while the vehicle was parked in the commissary parking lot. The vehicle suffered a large scratch from the passenger side door to the gas cap and a large dent on the rear passenger side door. Vehicles seem to mysteriously to get scratched or dented in parking lots across the entire base. Remember, if you hit another person's vehicle and fail to report it, it may be considered a hit and run accident. This means that a minor fender bender has just turned into a major crime. Accidents happen. Report any accident you are involved in to the 31st Security Forces Squadron immediately. On Oct. 19, an active duty military member reported that they lost their wallet. The Airman stated they last saw their wallet two days prior while in Vienna, Austria. The lost wallet contained one military identification card, three credit cards, one AFI driver's license, one stateside driver's license, 100 euro and $20. The Airman further stated they were unable to recover the missing wallet. Losing a purse or wallet can be a very stressful situation. To help minimize the amount of stress, limit how many forms of identification you carry in your purse or wallet. Try to avoid carrying large amounts of cash and excessive amounts of credit/bank cards. If a purse or wallet becomes lost or stolen ensure it is reported immediately. On Oct. 19, an active duty military member reported that they lost their military identification card. The Airman stated they discovered it missing three days prior while they were at their residence. The Airman was unable to recover the missing identification card. Ensure military identification cards are properly secured at all times. If an identification card becomes lost or stolen, report it immediately to the 31st Security Forces Squadron. On Oct. 16, an active duty military member reported that they lost their AFI driver's license. The Airmen stated they noticed the driver's license missing the day prior and was unable to recover it. An AFI driver's license is an important document because it allows us to operate a motor vehicle on Italian roads. This Airman did the right thing by reporting the lost property immediately. On Oct. 16, an active duty military family member reported that someone stole their purse. The military family member stated the purse contained one identification card, six bank/credit cards, several drivers' licenses, one cell phone, 20 euro, $20, one phone card, one Codice Fiscale and a pair of sunglasses. The military family member further stated a GPS case was missing from the glove box of their vehicle, which was parked at an Aviano dining establishment. The person was unable to recover the stolen purse or the items taken from inside the vehicle. Carrying excessive amounts of bank/credit cards in your purse or wallet can put you at risk to acts of identity theft. Identity theft crimes may take up to six months or possibly years for a victim to recover from. Try to minimize what is in your purse or wallet to only those items that are absolutely necessary to get you through your day-to-day activities. On Oct. 15, a 1995 Ford Escort Cosworth was reported stolen. The owner of the vehicle stated they secured their vehicle the night prior and noticed the vehicle missing when they went to retrieve some items inside the vehicle. A stolen vehicle is a major crime that occurs way too often. Consider parking in well lighted areas. Ensure car doors are locked and windows are rolled up. These small steps can help minimize your chances of becoming a victim of this crime. On Oct. 14, an active duty military member reported that they lost their ID card. The Airmen stated they last saw their military credentials while they were in the commissary and discovered it missing the next day. The Airman retraced their steps and was unable to recover the missing property. Always be mindful of the whereabouts of your military credentials. Military identification cards give members the privilege of accessing Aviano AB and other base facilities. A lost or stolen military identification card could give potentially give terrorists unauthorized access to our base and other base facilities. Keeping our military credentials safe and secure will deny terrorists that privilege.