The Guilford Police Department’s social media post says it all-an image of a broken record-with a reminder for residents of the importance of locking their car doors following as many as a dozen break-ins on April 5 south of the Town Green. Police said there are no suspects as of yet and no arrests.

According to Guilford Police Chief Butch Hyatt, one car was stolen after it was left unlocked possibly with keys inside of it, and another 12 vehicles were broken into, with several of them containing wallets and other valuables inside.

“We did have a few cars that were entered, technically—they weren’t broken into, they were entered,” said Hyatt. “One car was actually stolen and I believe that the keys may have been actually in that vehicle. Again, we bring the message of lock your car and bring your keys.”

According to Hyatt, there was video recorded by a resident’s home security system provided to the Department that captured one individual walking up a driveway and entering a vehicle and then leaving the property empty handed, but the chief said these thieves often work in groups and that these incidents likely involved multiple perpetrators.

“It’s hard to tell. I know we do have a video from a recent one of one just person, but a lot of times these guys come into a town with three or four people, five people, and they’re just dropping people off at a couple of locations and spread out. So, when we get a video of just one person, typically there are more,” said Hyatt. “One person runs up this driveway, one runs up the next, and they try...as many places as they can. The thing is that when the doors are locked, they’re usually in and out of there in 10 seconds.”

“It’s the message, and it’s not just Guilford’s message. It’s the message across the state and across the region: Everybody needs to lock their cars. People get complacent because it’s a safe community and they feel safe and that’s why these people [car thieves] come to a town like Guilford, because they know people get complacent about this,” Hyatt said.

Hyatt said his department is out on patrol attempting to interdict on these crimes, but ultimately residents are the key to prevention.

“Make sure you lock your car, take your valuables, and take your keys,” said Hyatt. “That’s the best way to deter these types of crimes. We are out there and very visible, particularly on the midnight shift. We have our cars with their running lights on and are in and out of the neighborhoods, but there are so many neighborhoods in town it is really hit or miss whether we see something or not. So, again, we remind folks to simply lock their cars.”

The stolen car and break-ins all occurred within 15-minute time span, according to police posts on social media. Those with any information, and especially those with security footage from the evening in question, are encouraged to contact the Guilford Police Department at 203-453-8061.