A Butler County community is on high alert after a string of home break-ins. And police say the thieves have a very specific game plan.
The thieves are not breaking in front doors or windows, instead, they're focusing on garages and the vehicles inside them.
"We've paid a lot more attention once hearing what's been going on in the neighborhood,” said Kenneth Dobbins, a Liberty Township resident.
Dobbins has lived in West Chester for more than 15 years and says a recent string of break-ins has his neighborhood on alert.
“Watching out for the neighbors, making sure we keep our garage doors closed. And use our security system, make sure that that's on,” said Dobbins. “We've even started locking the doors of our cars."
Early Thursday morning a home down the street from Dobbins was broken into.
Police say they've recently seen a string of break-ins in Liberty Township.
The thieves are not breaking windows or kicking in doors, instead they're breaking in garages.
While some garages have been left open, the thieves have also used tools like a crowbar to pry garage doors open, then take items both in the garage and in cars.
Dobbins says his neighborhood is a nice peaceful place, and sometimes people let their guard down, which provides an easy target.
"Living in this area and just watching how lax people can be and how comfortable they can be, and how comfortable they can be in these types of suburbs,” said Dobbins.
Dobbins says both he and his neighbors will be paying close attention to whose coming and going in their neighborhood, and hopes police get some answers.
"Hope they catch them real soon,” added Dobbins.
Now no matter where you live, police are saying you should always close and lock your garage doors, also lock you car doors even if there in your garage.
And keep your valuables like your purse, wallet and keys inside your home.
