Summertime, and the stealin' is easy: More than dozen car break-ins in one night

Perpetrators typically target unlocked vehicles where valuables are visible from the outside and/or easily located inside the vehicle (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Police are investigating a rash of car breakins that occurred in and around Gonic overnight on Tuesday.
Two of the breakins occurred on Rebekah Lane, while the others were reported on Topaz Lane, Ledgeview Drive, Crestview Drive and Oak Street.
Several of the callers into dispatch said many of their neighbors had also had their cars gone through.
Rochester Police haven't seen this many reports in a single day since 2019 when The Rochester Voice published a story on a spate back then.
Perpetrators typically target unlocked vehicles where valuables are visible from the outside and/or easily located inside the vehicle, Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham noted after the last string of such offenses. He added that the individuals involved rely on their ability to access a large number of vehicles while circulating through a neighborhood and rarely force entry, which could alert victims.
He said the key to not being a victim is to simply lock your car doors.
Police say other safeguards against break-ins include parking your vehicles in a garage or driveway, using exterior residential lights and motion detectors and installing surveillance cameras.
Offenders are subject to anywhere from a Class B misdemeanor to a felony depending on the value of property stolen and their criminal history.
Residents are urged to report any suspicious behavior to the Rochester Police Department during the overnight hours by calling (603) 330-7127. Tips can be reported anonymously by calling the Rochester CrimeLine at (603) 335-6500 or by texting tips to CRIMES (274637) with TEXT4CASH in the body of the text. Up to $1,000 is awarded for tips that lead to an arrest.