Chief Robert Butelli of the Brentwood Borough Police Department confirmed on Monday that the number of vehicle break-ins in Brentwood, particularly along Brownsville Road and the streets that adjoin it, has approached double digits in recent weeks.

Butelli said that the break-ins probably could have been avoided.

"They were all unlocked vehicles," he said. "We've caught kids doing this before many, many times, whether they're at a bad age, it's somebody on drugs, or it's a young kid just looking for cash or something. They'll walk along and just try the door handles as they're walking down the street. We've had witnesses report it.

"And if the door's unlocked, they'll open up the car and grab any kind of change or money that's lying around inside. And if they see items such as a GPS or iPod or anything like that, they'll grab them, take them down to a pawnshop and trade 'em for quick cash."

Butelli said that the busyness of Brentwood's part of Brownsville, which connects Whitehall Borough to north Baldwin Borough, actually presents a good opportunity for the thieves because pedestrian traffic is normal along that road.

"They're not really conspicuous just walking down (that) street," Butelli said. "They can pull the handles on all those cars, and if they get one open, they'll stop and go in and grab whatever they can."

Butelli said that the prime time for these thefts to occur is during nighttime, because of course, it is dark outside.

He reminded area residents to lock their vehicles.

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