NEWBURYPORT — Local police are reminding residents to lock their cars and take their valuables with them after at least 12 car breaks were reported late last week.
Newburyport police Senior Lt. Rick Siemasko said cars parked on Washington Street, Merrill Street and other roads west of downtown were broken into Thursday night and Friday morning. In all cases, the cars were unlocked, making it very easy for those responsible, Siemasko said.
"Please lock your cars," Siemasko said yesterday.
Even after locking your cars, it's important to remove all valuables, as well, he said. Among the items reported missing were cameras, laptops and loose change.
Police are still investigating the thefts, but it appears that those involved were looking for unlocked cars, as none of the cars showed signs of forced entry.
Siemasko said reports of multiple car breaks pop up from time to time in different areas of the city. While it appears this most recent wave targeted cars parked in a heavily congested area of the city, multiple car breaks have also taken place in more suburban areas of the city, including the Turkey Hill Road section.
Last week's rash of car breaks is one of the biggest in the Greater Newburyport area since December, when two teens were charged with breaking into at least 30 cars and stealing one of them on Arlington Street in Amesbury the morning before Christmas.
Amesbury Crime Prevention Officer Thomas Hanshaw said that since the Arlington Street break-ins, there have been very few reported, the most recent being a single car break on River Street last week.
Hanshaw called car breaks one of the most common crimes year-round in Amesbury and said they are often conducted by younger people. Criminals typically hit specific areas at specific times, Hanshaw added.
Anyone with information regarding last week's car breaks is encouraged to call the Newburyport Police Department at 978-462-4411.
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