SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Unfortunately it happens every year to someone. You take some of what you've bought at the mall out to your car. Then go back in to do more shopping only to come back later and find that it's gone. Someone broke into your car and stole it. It doesn't happen to everyone but it happens enough that University Mall shopper Michaela Doolan always takes precaution even though it's never happened to her.
"I've heard about it from other people," Doolan said.
Even a second hand story is enough for some shoppers to take precautions. It's something South Burlington police want people to think about all year and especially now.
"It's not an epidemic by any means I would say but it does happen from time to time," Police Chief Trevor Whipple said.
Sometimes when you least expect it.
"Last year we had a bout of several in one day," Chief Whipple said.
"It was actually pretty brazen. They were breaking windows in broad daylight in the middle of shopping window parking lots."
But there are measures you can take to make sure you're less likely to be targeted.
- Don't keep valuables in your car
- If you must keep valuables in their car hide them in your trunk.
- Park in secluded, not crowded areas.
- Lock your car doors.
Police say that practice extends to when you park at home as well.
"Folks will park their cars in their door yards, go to bed at night, then wake up in the morning to find them broken into and their stuff rifled through," Chief Whipple said.
This season, police say they're on parking lot patrol at shopping centers. Mall security even beefs up. But police say the best way to protect yourself from theft is to take action.
"The principles hold true under all circumstances and it helps people to limit the possibility of them becoming victims," Whipple said.
