Sheriff's office warning - Lock your car doors! | News

Seminole, Florida -   "I was only gone 10-seconds"; "I ran in and right back out"; "I was barely gone for a moment". 

A lot of Pinellas County motorists are learning the hard way, it only takes seconds for someone to steal something from your car.  Whether it's running your kids into school, dashing into the post office to drop a letter, or going in to the gas station for a pack of gum, thieves are waiting for the opportunity to swipe something in plain view in your car.

Deputies want to remind Pinellas County citizens to lock their car doors when vehicles are left unattended.

A rash of vehicle burglaries have occurred within the last 2 weeks in Pinellas County. Specifically, unoccupied vehicles have been targeted while parents are dropping their children off at schools and daycare facilities.

Most of the items stolen are purses, cell phone and other valuable left on the car seat or in the console.  Thieves are also smashing passenger side windows or the doors are simply left unlocked.

A recent suspect vehicle has been a newer, dark colored SUV. Possibly a Mercedes model.