From York County to the Midcoast, police are cautioning about series of car burglaries at businesses in Maine.
Brunswick police state their first burglary victim was a woman who left her purse in her car and went for a trip on a trail.
She got back to discover her window smashed and her purse gone.
“In general, they seem to select places where people are not going to take their purses in with them,” stated Brunswick Police Commander Mark Waltz.
Amy Cookson and Laurie Haapanen went to the trail Friday.
One left purse under the motorist’s seat, the other in the trunk.
“Yeah, we need to find a better way to protect our belongings,” Haapanen stated. “We have to be more mindful and kind of watch out for each other.”
During the last two months, a series of similar car break-ins have been reported in Sanford, Saco, Bath, Damariscotta, and other regions.
Police think these incidents share some connection.
“The agencies are working together to try to solve this,” Waltz stated.
In Brunswick, three different gyms have had car burglaries.
As such, those gyms are warning women like Maggie Wheeler to bring their purses and wallets along with them.
“I typically leave it in the car, because I feel like it’s Brunswick and it’s a safe town,” Wheeler stated.
“They think it’s safe if they just cover it up or throw it under the seat, but we’re telling now that nobody leaves it in at all,” Sandra MacMillan of Maine Pines Racquet & Fitness stated.
“The burglars also watch over daycares. The director of The Little Schoolhouse on Maine states that a mother left her purse in the car, locked the door, and went in to pick up her children. When she came back out, her window was smashed and her purse was gone.
“As tempting as it might be to leave your belongings in your vehicle, cause you to think it’s going to be a fast trip, take your purse in with you,” Waltz stated.
Investigators are also asking people to contact the police if they see someone out of place, maybe with out of state plates, who appears to be watching others come and go.
