Multiple car burglaries in southwest Miami, Oklahoma - KOAM TV 7

Police in Miami, Oklahoma are working to solve about a half-dozen car burglaries, all on the southwest side of the city.

The string of burglaries has been happening for about a week.  Detectives say these crimes are even more reason for people to be aware of their surroundings.

"Car hopping" is a term used when wiggling multiple car door handles to see if they are unlocked before stealing items inside.  Police say around six reports of car hopping have been reported within the last week.

Detective Mark Byfield with the Miami Police Department says the crime is common.

While working on very few leads, Byfield says something seems off about this case.

"We have car burglaries regularly but not that many concentrated to one neighborhood at one certain time," says Detective Byfield.

He says some of the same addresses were hit about a month ago.

Items stolen include a handgun, money, GPS devices and purses.

"If a person's willing to break into your vehicle while it's sitting in your driveway, I think at any point-in-time, those people should be considered dangerous," says Detective Byfield.  "What their plans are with the handgun, I don't know.  They can trade them for drugs.  They can sell them.  There's many different things they can do or keep them for themselves."

With the recent rash of burglaries people in the southwest section of Miami are taking precautions.

"Make sure all the windows are closed and locked and the doors are closed and locked," says Steve Brewer.  "You just take an extra effort to make sure those things are done before you actually skip on out."

Steve and Shelly Brewer is one couple who live in the quiet section of town affected by the crimes.  Though they have not been a victim they re-evaluated their security.

"This has actually been a safe area," says Shelly Brewer.  "When we first moved in we had no problems here.  We weren't scared.  Everything was fine."

Detective Byfield also says to be aware of who is usually bicycling or walking through your neighborhood.  It could cut down on the amount of crime and the loss of valuable items.