Rash of Auto Burglaries Reported Over the Weekend

Youthful auto burglars kept St. Petersburg Police hopping over the weekend as more than 20 calls about break-ins came into the agency.

Police say three different groups of kids roamed the city looking for “unlocked” vehicles to strike and strike they did.

“For example, one group hit 6 cars, another group hit 11,” an email to media from the department said. “These are groups of youths walking or riding their bicycles.”

Police say a rise in auto burglaries has been an ongoing issue all summer long. In July, the department made 71 auto burglary arrests.

“Most of these arrests are youths, repeatedly trying car door handles until they find one open, and then they steal anything of value inside the cars,” the email said.

With that in mind, police are asking folks to remember to keep their doors locked and to make sure valuables are left out of sight.