Police: Cars Broken Into While Parked At Shoreline Hiking Spots

GUILFORD, CT — As some folks were enjoying a hike on a lovely autumn day with their cars parked at the trailhead, police said, thieves smashed car windows to steal valuables left inside.

Guilford police said in one case, in an unlocked car, a purse was stolen, with the car keys inside the bag. Fortunately, police said, the thief or thieves did not realize the car keys were inside the bag, or they might have stolen the car.

"Please be aware that thieves know these items are generally left in vehicles at hiking trails, gyms, movie theaters, etc.," police said in a Facebook post.

"They will wait until you are out of site and take less than 5 seconds to smash your window and grab your plain view valuables from inside," the Guilford Police Department wrote on its Facebook page. "Some thieves will actually watch you place your items under the seat or in the trunk before you exit the car."