People who leave valuables in their car for a quick run into the store should be aware that thieves only need a moment, Arlington police say.
Thieves targeting vehicles in parking lots "is definitely a crime of opportunity," Sgt. Vincent Pewitt said.
Anyone can be a victim, he said.
Carroll Burney's vehicle has been broken into twice in three years while she dropped her child off at a day care. The latest break-in occurred this week.
"I ran outside, had my purse with me, so they didn't get anything except a bag of papers and my protein shake blender," she said.
The day Burney's car was hit, thieves reportedly struck several other day cares within a matter of hours.
Pewitt said thieves target everything from laptops to cellphones to money in the center console. Even things people think are not worth stealing could be worth it to someone, as Burney learned.
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"The fact that it was a bag full of papers just makes me realize that you can't leave anything in the seat of your car," she said.
