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Car burglars strike almost everyday in Abilene, just last week the police found a string of burglaries at several parks.
Often, the crimes happen because someone simply left something in plain sight or their cars unlocked.
But this type of crime doesn't just happen in other cities or states. They can happen anywhere.
"We are not immune to this kind of activity, and this kind of behavior in Abilene," said Officer Gary Heslep, who is a part of the Crimestoppers team in the Abilene Police Department.
Paul Cummings and his neighbors, learned this lesson the hard way, after having their cars broken into.
"I felt a little stupid for leaving my vehicle unlocked," said Cummings, "it [the stolen valuables] were in semi-plain sight."
According to Cummings, the thieves took his iPod and adapter, and rummaged through his truck, minor things he says, but it still got his attention.
His neighbor, Richard Tamblyn, also had his car opened up, but he didn't have anything missing.
"It was a surprise because we have never experience anything like that before," added Tamblyn.
"I guarantee that nearly everyday there will be a car broken into," stated Heslep.
And the burglaries can happen quick.
Heslep proves his point with a video from 2009, where a security camera caught a man smashing a window with a rock, he grabs something out of the front, and takes off running. It all took less than a minute for the bad guy to smash the window and get away.
"When you look at the video, these aren't night vision cameras, it's pretty well lit," described Heslep.
"If they're [the burglars] going through all of the trouble to break a window, they're going to want something for it. If they don't see anything in your car, odds are they're going to go on to the next one."
Heslep advises that drivers hide their valuables, but he goes a step further and advises they do it before they stop, so others don't see where you're hiding everything, because if you don't look out for your stuff, someone else will.
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