Police won't say much about these car burglaries other than they are investigating. Those cars were in a parking lot at the Galleria. A lot of the break ins can be prevented as long as you know what to do when you leave your car while you shop.

Anita Mrkich from Johnstown said, "I value the things I have and don't let them out to be tempting."

Missy Petrore of Johnstown said she does the same. According to Petrore, "I don't really keep anything there. I take my purse with me wherever I go and all my credit cards, cash, and cell phone."

Good thinking! But as Channel 6 News roamed the parking lot at the Galleria where the break ins happened we find what thieves would find tempting. In one car, above the back seat, there is a CD case. In another, a bag left on the seat. In yet another, a cell phone is in plain sight. In many of these cars we find open CDs left on the back seat floor, bags on the seats, and bags of purchased items. Perfect examples, police say, of what thieves are hunting for. Even though your car door is locked, the window can be broken and your items gone. Police are patrolling the lots but say they can't be everywhere when break ins take seconds. Many suspects are drug addicts.

Officer James Shawley of the Richland Township Police said, "They'll break into a car. They might take $2 or $300 worth of CDs. They'll go somewhere else even if they get $40 or $50 for it. It doesn't matter as long as they get their fix."

Anita Mrkich says, Growing up in Johnstown has always been a safe place. But it's not the same as it was. So I think they need to be aware that these things happen and take care of their things."

Bottom line, police say, do not leave things in site in your car. Hide them under the seat or in the trunk. If you can't do that leave them at home or risk never having them again. If you know anything about these break ins call the Richland Township Police at 266-8333.