Smash & grab: Car break-in victims feel "violated"

RACINE (WITI) -- Law enforcement officials are investigating after more than a dozen vehicles were broken into overnight Monday, April 21st into Tuesday, April 22nd on Racine's southwest side.

"Usually it`s pretty quiet here," Cyndy Eckblad said.

Eckblad says early Tuesday morning, April 22nd, she and others woke up to the unexpected.

"I heard this thud, and then I heard kind of a crinkling. It sounded like paper or something," Eckblad said.

As it turned out, Eckblad's car was broken into.

"They had taken our GPS, but they didn`t break any windows," Eckblad said.

The thieves then took a brick from Eckblad's yard and threw it into the window of her neighbor's truck.

"There was glass everywhere. It was on my dash, it was in the back seat, my seat. They left the rock right below the window -- a big rock," Leslie Mehalko said.

These two break-ins were two of about 14 within blocks of each other that occurred overnight Monday into Tuesday morning.

"They all happened in a very close proximity to each other and a close time frame, so we suspect that those are probably related," Racine Police Sgt. Jessie Metoyer said.

Sgt. Metoyer says the criminals stole purses and GPS devices -- breaking some windows. However, Metoyer says the majority of the vehicles broken into were left unlocked.

"We always ask that people keep their vehicles locked at all times, when you`re not with them. Keep your windows up and take your valuables with you or make sure they`re at least out of sight," Sgt. Metoyer said.

As police look for the suspect, neighbors are trying to get back their sense of security.

"It`s violating. You feel violated," Eckblad said.

Police do not have anyone in custody in connection with these break-ins.