Ten vehicles were burglarized on Saturday night on Serano and Ramona Streets, according to the San Luis Obispo Police Department. In each case, the cars’ windows were smashed and items such as laptops, iPods, CDs, cell phones, stereo equipment, wallets and checkbooks were stolen, police said.
Apparently this isn’t the first time.
“It’s a problem we’re constantly battling,” SLOPD Lt. Steve Tolley said regarding car burglary, the most frequently committed felony in San Luis Obispo County.
Tolley explained that car burglary has become such a big problem, because it is an easy crime to commit, carrying a low risk of being caught.
“Streets with student housing complexes traditionally have higher burglary rates, because they know students leave items in their car,” Tolley said. “The majority of burglaries happen to unlocked vehicles.”
Most car burglars are caught in the act, not after the fact.
“If people call us if they hear something suspicious at 3:00 in the morning, we usually catch them leaving the area with stolen merchandise,” Tolley said. “Usually when you catch a suspect, you can clear up a lot of (car burglaries).”
Tolley advises students to be careful of what they leave in their cars over night.
“Keep it parked in a lit area if you can, and if you hear or see anything suspicious, call the police department immediately,” he said.
Police still have not found the suspect(s) responsible for the burglaries.