(BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala.) Folks on the Eastern Shore need to pay attention to what they leave in plain view inside their cars.
Area law enforcement is warning that a group of thieves have been breaking and entering into vehicles.
Police say they believe it's one group of thieves roaming the Eastern Shore from Fairhope to Spanish Fort. "They are actually smashing out the windows in the cars to gain access. Electronic devices in general are being stolen along with cash, debit cards and the occasional firearm," said Eric Winberg, spokesperson for the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office.
It's different from cases from this past summer where police arrested teenagers roaming the streets. Spanish Fort police have seen the crime happen on the Causeway at boat dock parking lots where folks, who go fishing and hunting, get their cars and trucks broken into. "It's when they are able to tell what's in there that they are busting the windows, " said Police Chief David Edgar.
"The vehicle break-ins are occurring along the Eastern Shore up into Spanish Fort and even a little further north ," said Winberg. Neighborhoods off 225 have been hit as well as neighborhoods right outside the Daphne city limits.
"Remove any valuables that might be in their cars. You know this time of year people are doing their holiday shopping and they think 'well maybe we'll just hide the presents in the car,' " said Winberg. "If they would take their valuables and keep them out of sight then chances are they are not going to bust in because they don't know what's in there, " said Edgar.
Homeowners associations have been notified. Most have sent chain e-mails making neighbors aware of the problem.
