Police Investigate Week of Car Break-Ins

The responded to a string of break-ins Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from area homes and vehicles.

According to police reports, the first incidents occurred Monday. A resident living on the 600 block of Smith Avenue reported that $20 in change was stolen from her unlocked vehicle, parked in her driveway overnight. Also on Monday night, two residents on the 900 and 1000 blocks of Bird Avenue reported property taken from their vehicles during the night — including a briefcase and sunglasses from one car, while the other resident reported losing his Garmin GPS and cash. Both were unsure whether they had locked their vehicles.

Meanwhile on Tuesday night, a silver iPod was stolen from the front seat of an unlocked car parked on the 500 block of Hanna Street, while a bicycle was taken from an unlocked garage on the 1700 block of Henrietta Street.

On Wednesday night, reports indicated two pairs of glasses stolen from an unlocked car parked on the 600 block of Wallace Street. Meanwhile, another resident on the 2600 block of Yorkshire Road reported $80 missing from his home.

All cases are currently under investigation, police say.

At the end of July, after a string of car break-ins and bicycle thefts, urging residents to lock their cars overnight.

"During the warmer months, thefts from open and unlocked cars tend to increase, especially during the night time hours," Birmingham Police Cmdr. Terry Kiernan said. "Preventing the majority of thefts from occurring is as simple as not leaving valuables in a vehicle and making sure your vehicle is locked and secured."

If you have any tips, you may contact the at 248-530-1889. For questions about this blotter, email Laura.Houser@patch.com.