DAPHNE, Ala. — Daphne police Lt. Jud Beedy said several car break-ins this past month could have been prevented if people had locked their cars. Beedy said every car broken into the past month was left unlocked, which he said made the cars easy prey for burglary suspects.

In the past month, four individuals were arrested for breaking into cars and stealing items. Three of the suspects, including two juveniles, are believed to be responsible for one residential burglary and 15 car burglaries in Daphne. (Editor’s Note: Read more about the thefts and suspects in Baldwin County Area News at baldwincountynow.com.) 

Police recovered $5,000 worth of stolen property from three suspects believed to be working together. The total amount of property reported stolen in relation to the three suspects was worth $15,000. Daphne police reported property was recovered from other jurisdictions in Baldwin County in addition to Daphne. Property reported stolen included guns, electronics, sunglasses and money.

The suspects allegedly took items easy to carry, Beedy said, and most activity took place between midnight and dawn. “They stole whatever they could get their hands on. There were guns, GPS devices, any kind of electronics, money, jewelry stolen.”

Beedy said all recent break-ins could have been prevented.

“All of the vehicles were unlocked,” he said. “Some of the valuables were in plain sight, but I don’t think that really had anything to do with it. They (suspects) just run by and flip the handle and if it (the car) is open, they look through it.”

Beedy offered three tips for car owners.

“Don’t leave anything valuable in your car, and lock it. Those are the easiest ways to keep your valuables safe,” Beedy said. Finally, he said if you are ever the victim of a break-in, report the incident to police.

“Unfortunately, a lot of people didn’t report that their property was stolen and we recovered a lot of stolen property and it took us doing the work to figure out who it belonged to and get it back to them and then we had to get them to do a report,” Beedy said.

Daphne has more than 20,000 residents, which makes it Baldwin County’s largest city by population, and Carpenter said times have changed.

“We aren’t Mayberry anymore. We do encourage everybody to lock their vehicles,” he said last week during a council meeting.

Further reading:

Daphne police solve multiple burglaries with three arrests including two juvenile suspects

Lake Forest resident helps Daphne police catch burglary suspect; eyewitness stayed on suspect until police arrived

Break-in map: