SOCASTEE -- Horry County police are seeing an increase in break-ins in several neighborhoods off Socastee Boulevard near Watson's Riverside.
Sgt. Robert Kegler says the neighborhoods targeted are between Watson's Riverside and Socastee High School, but he says people living in nearby neighborhoods should be cautious as well.
Police say the best information they have is that two men in their late teens or early 20's are committing the crimes in the late night to early morning hours.
The Horry County Police Department provided these tips to avoid becoming a car break-in victim:
-When you get home, before you get out of your vehicle, take 30 seconds and remove the valuables you have in your car. When you add up the GPS System, satellite radio, IPod, MP3 player or any other type of electronics you use for navigation or entertainment, the dollar amount adds up. Think of your car as a small version of a Carolina Room in your home. It is surrounded by windows, and all your valuables are in plain view. Taking the time to remove these items and bringing them inside better insures that you will have them the next time you need them.
-If you have a garage door opener, make sure you bring that inside with you as well. If somebody breaks into your car and gains possession of your garage door opener, at the very least, they now have access to your garage and everything in it. If you do not lock the entrance door to your home from the garage, they will also have access to your home and everything in it.
-Make sure you lock and secure your vehicle. A would-be thief does not want to make noise and attract attention to themselves if they don't have to. Most are not willing to smash a window and risk waking up a homeowner or dog.
