Longmont police issued a warning to the public on Wednesday of vehicle break-ins at the St. Vrain Greenway Trailhead.
There were at least two break-ins in the area, at 10192 East County Line Road, over the weekend, said Robin Ericson, spokesperson for the Longmont Police Department.
The first break-in occurred sometime between noon and 1 p.m. Saturday at the trailhead, she said. A hiker parked her car and left it, and when she returned, the front passenger side window had been broken, and her purse was stolen from the backseat floorboard.
She then received an alert overnight from her bank for charge attempts of $1,000 at a local retailer, and $500 went through, Ericson said.
An officer was called around 4:15 p.m. Sunday to the second break-in. When a runner returned to her car, she received a call from her bank asking about a credit card charge in progress, Ericson said. Her purse, which was hidden in the back seat, was stolen and a small side window in the back of the car had been broken. Her passenger door had multiple tool marks where someone tried to pry the door open. Damage to the vehicle is estimated around $2,000, Ericson said.
“The suspect(s) appear to be watching individuals hide their purses in their vehicles while in the lot and before going out on the trail,” the department said in a social media post. “The suspects then break the window or pry open the door.”
In both break-ins, credit cards were taken and used at local stores, Ericson said.
The police department is asking hikers to carry a pack and take their wallets with them, and place purses and valuables in a safe location in their vehicles before arriving at their destination.
“Any location in which valuables are left in a vehicle unattended are at risk,” Ericson said. “Historically in Longmont, over 90% of break-ins are vehicles that have been left unlocked. We are seeing a much smaller percentage of vehicles in which the suspect(s) break the window to gain entry.”
People should try to leave their valuables at home, the police department advises.
