Investigators say in most cases, cars were left unlocked. They say thieves often patrol parking lots trying door handles to see if a car is open. If it is, they can be in and out in 30 seconds or less.
Police also say it's a good idea to tuck valuables under a seat or in the trunk out of site. If a crook doesn't spot anything through the window, he's less likely to try and get in.
If you have a valuable item like a GPS system in your car, keep a record of the serial number so you can claim it if it's recovered after a theft.
