THOMASVILLE — Officials are urging residents to protect their vehicles and valuables as more car break-ins have occurred throughout the area. 

“For the past couple of months we’ve had an increase not only in the city but in the county,” said Lt. Toby Knifer, Thomasville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division commander.

Recently, the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office linked two suspects to some of the entering auto incidents. 

“We were able to tie a couple prospects that were committing entering autos throughout the city and the county,” Knifer said. “They were connected to one another and evidence showed that it was the same people,” he said. 

While some car break-ins can be classified as forceful break-ins, Knifer said a high percentage of car break-ins occurred with people leaving their vehicles unlocked.  

“Most the time, I would say the high 90% range, is vehicles have been left unsecured,” he said. “Most the time what they’re taking is either money or firearms.”

Capt. Steve Jones, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office public information officer, said thieves are prone to check the security of a car before breaking into it.

“The county looks at auto break-ins as crimes of opportunity where people leave their vehicles unlocked and these thieves walk around the neighborhood late at night just trying door handles until they find one that is unlocked,” Jones said. 

Jones said making sure vehicles are locked at all times is a good way to avoid car break-ins. 

“No matter where you live, if your vehicle is outside at night, it should always be locked,” he said.

Knifer said another way to prevent car break-ins is to double check that vehicles and valuables are secured.

“We quite frequently remind people on Facebook to check their doors and valuables. If it’s a situation where a car can’t be locked, remove your valuables,” he said. “Put it in the trunk if you can’t take it with you at the time.”

Lastly, Knifer said being cautious of where vehicles are parked can help decrease the amount of car break-ins. He advised parking vehicles in well-lit areas, such as areas covered by flood lights.

“In other words,” he said, “don’t make it easy for the bad guys to make you a victim.”