String of car burglaries near Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A rash of car burglaries have put a damper on the start of school at Purdue.

In early September there were 14 car break-ins in West Lafayette. The hardest hit areas were near campus, on West Stadium Avenue and on North Salisbury

The items targeted included GPSes, iPods, and laptops.

West Lafayette Police Chief Jason Dombkowski said because that part of town is active around the clock the thieves have been tough to catch.

Dombkowski said if you see something that does not look right, call police.

"Just be more proactive, certainly we would welcome the opportunity to catch a thief in the act and if that came from a citizen tip, that is even better," said Dombkowski.

Here are some tips Chief Dombkowski gives to keep you from being the next victim.

Do not have your valuables out where thieves can see them.

Take your valuables with you if you can.

Park your car in well lit areas, as far away from alleys as possible.

Make sure your doors are locked.

Dombkowski said the break-ins are of the "smash-and-grab" variety.

Thieves saw something they wanted, broke a window, and they took it.

You can call the West Lafayette Police Department at 765-775-5200 or the We-Tip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.