14 Car Break-ins in Brentwood This Week

After a string of car break-ins have left Brentwood residents with broken windows and missing electronics this week, Brentwood police have one message to share with the public: don't leave valuables in your car.

Residents living on Sonora Avenue, Douglas Court and the Brentwood Forest Condominums area have been targeted by thieves. Brentwood police have learned of 14 different incidents between Wednesday, June 15, and Tuesday, June 21.

The thieves first look for unlocked vehicles, but will break out windows if they see something valuable, said Maj. Dan Fitzgerald, assistant chief of the Brentwood Police Department

"They look into the car. If they see something, they take it," Fitzgerald said. "It's everything from loose change to a GPS and a couple purses."

Most of the incidents occurred between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., he said.

To avoid becoming a victim, residents can follow three tips:

• First and foremost, don't leave anything valuable in your car.
• Keep your car doors locked.
• If you hear something unusual in the middle of the night—such as dogs barking incessantly—immediately call Brentwood police at 314-644-7100.

The police haven't received any theft reports since Tuesday. Fitzgerald hopes the department's concentrated patrols in the neighborhood have helped keep criminals away.

"Maybe they tired of our area and moved on. Or maybe they saw the police and we spooked them," Fitzgerald said.