Vehicle Burglary can be found under Utah Criminal Code 76-6-204. A person commits a vehicle burglary when they enter any vehicle with intent to commit any felony or theft. Vehicle burglary in Utah is a class A misdemeanor punishable up to 364 Days in jail. Vehicle burglaries have skyrocketed in recent years across the US. Catching a car burglar in the act is rare because they are crimes of opportunity and happen quickly.

The best approach to this is doing what we can to PREVENT them from happening in the first place. This advice is based on my training and experience working as a deputy sheriff and police officer and taken hundreds of vehicle burglary reports. 

1. Aways lock your vehicle when leaving it unattended, if you are using a key FOB check doors to ensure they are locked.
2. Don’t leave valuables in plain sight for car burglars to see walking by; even better don’t leave valuables in the car and take them with you when your car if possible. Car burglars are opportunists and will often look inside a vehicle for valuable items in plain sight and check to see if the car is locked. There is a good chance they may walk on by if they don’t see anything in plain sight that’s tempting to steal. Car burglars know to check under seats, consoles and glove compartments, so those areas are NOT good places to hide valuables when away, the trunk is your best place to hide valuables.
3. Firearms: NEVER store firearms in your vehicle unless it’s in a suitable lockbox AND the gun is out of sight and the car is LOCKED as well. Guns are trophies for car burglars and are sold on the streets to criminals that use the against us. If you have to leave your gun in your car for a short time, storing it in the trunk is the safest place if you put it in there BEFORE you arrive at your destination. There should be no reason to leave your gun in your vehicle overnight, bring them inside and don’t start a bad habit. IF your gun is stolen, report it to police IMMEDIATELY, if the police have a serial number for your gun, if it’s recovered, the police can return it to you. 
4. If you see suspicious activity around your vehicle, or if they are actively burgling your car, you can activate the red panic button on your key FOB, watch them run the 100-yard dash. If you can safely video the incident, do so and report it to police, offer to give them the video if needed.
5. Get case numbers from police if you can. If your car is burgled, request in person contact if possible. A good officer being thorough, will process the vehicle for latent prints and other evidence left by the suspect. Though it’s rare, I found latent prints on a car window and made an arrest within hours after the burglary was committed when print results identified my suspect. He was arrested at his home and charged for the crime.
6. Car alarms are great if you have them or can afford them. 

If car burglaries are rampant in your area, ask police to do extra patrols in the area. IF police can’t or won’t do the patrols. neighbors can patrol their neighborhoods through walks, bike rides, or driving through the area. 

If you find suspicious activity, or see a car burglary in process, the best practice is to call 911 and report the crime, avoid a hands-on approach as this can be dangerous and property isn’t worth being injured. In Utah, a person can use a reasonable amount of force necessary (except deadly force) to protect property lawfully in your possession or members of your immediate family.

Citizen arrests for car burglars are legal in Utah, IF you witness the crime under Utah law of citizens arrest Utah Criminal Code 77-7-3. They happen sometimes but you are taking a risk of injury and or arrest/prosecution if it’s not executed correctly under the statute. No property is worth being injured, or worse but some people take the risk anyway.

Following as many tips as possible, will reduce your chances of being a victim and prevention is KEY for obvious reasons.