By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The Alabaster Police Department is warning area residents to avoid leaving valuable items in plain sight in their vehicles, and is encouraging locals to always lock their vehicles when they are parked.

During the week of Feb. 22, the department investigated multiple vehicle break-ins in parking lots in the southern end of town, said Alabaster Deputy Police Chief Jeff Anthony.

“This week we have, unfortunately, had a few vehicles that were broken into and valuables were taken at various locations in our city,” read a Feb. 26 post on the department’s Facebook page. “Our detectives and patrol officers are diligently working to locate those responsible.”

Anthony said the break-ins happened at two local gyms, and said the suspects broke into multiple unoccupied vehicles in the gyms’ parking lots. In most vehicle burglary cases, the suspects enter unlocked vehicles, but Anthony said the recent thefts involved forced entry.

“It is very unusual for there to be forced entry. Usually, thieves will go around checking for unlocked cars,” Anthony said. “But whoever did these, they knew what they were looking for and they went around to different cars until they found it.”

Anthony said the items stolen in the thefts were clearly visible from outside the victims’ vehicles.

“The big things we always tell people is to lock your vehicles and don’t leave anything in plain sight. In this case, (the suspects) actually broke into locked vehicles and stole valuables that were in plain sight.”

APD is encouraging residents to pay particular attention to items such as purses, cell phones, computers and other valuables when leaving their vehicles. To deter theft, such items should be removed from the vehicle or placed in the trunk out of plain sight.

“Also, when possible, try to park in a well lit area,” APD wrote. “If you see anything or anyone suspicious, please call us at 663-7401 (non-emergency) or 911 (for emergencies only) so that we can check the situation. We appreciate your help.”