HPD investigating string of auto burglaries, more than a dozen

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Hattiesburg Police Department (HPD) is currently investigation a string of more than a dozen auto burglaries in less than 48 hours.

HPD Spokesman Lieutenant (Lt.) Jon Traxler said,“Over the past week just this past week since Monday, we had between 10-15 auto-burglaries that have been reported, in the month of October we had several of them as well.”

Lt. Traxler said in almost all cases all the vehicles were left unlocked.

“Safety, they feel like they are safe at home, a lot of people feel that way, or just being in a hurry, you know just running late to get in the house, or its late and they want to run in the house real quick, and just forget to lock it" said Lt. Traxler.

People have left high valuables and spare keys in unlocked cars and police want to remind people to make sure doors are locked.

“People are providing a crime of opportunity, for a person, and so that is why we want the public, to be aware of this and ask them to try and help us, with what we call a hard target, make sure your door is lock, not just use your key fob" Lt. Traxler said.

He added, "Make sure you do not leave stuff out, if you are going to be at a store, have your stuff already in your trunk, if you are going to be shopping bring it and put in the trunk, we are going into the holidays and there is going to be a lot of stuff and shopping that will be going on as well."

Police said there are no suspects at this time, but if you have any video surveillance of recent auto burglaries to contact authorities.