DAPHNE, Ala. — The Daphne Police Department, along with other police agencies throughout the county, has been investigating a series of motor vehicle break-ins and thefts along the Eastern Shore area.

“It’s a growing problem. It’s always been a problem but we’re trying to bring attention to it,” Daphne Lt. Judson Beedy said.

Police report that most of the incidents happened during the night or in the early hours of the morning, and Beedy said teenagers are expected to be responsible for most of the occurrences.

 “It’s more of groups of four to six of teenagers that don’t have anything better to do at night so they say, ‘Let’s go to Lake Forest and pull on car doors.’ They go to neighborhoods at random and pull on door handles and steal whatever they can,” he said.

Police said these groups of individuals appear to have communication regarding their activities to the point of organizing the events.

“It’s a coordinated effort amongst a group of young people,” Maj. Anthony Lowery, of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s office, said.

Beedy said the number of vehicle break-ins has increased at a constant rate the past couple of years, and one major reason is the growth in population in the area.

“There’s more people over here to steal from and more kids that fall into that bad group that get involved,” Beedy said.

Items stolen include cellular phones, money, guns and various electronic items.

“It’s whatever is in the car that is not secured,” Beedy said.

 Police also said targeted vehicles were unlocked, and the incidents could be avoided if security measures are taken.

“People get home from work or late in the evening and feel secure at home. We would like people to take one more step and do not leave anything in their car that they wouldn’t want to lose, or lock their car up,” Beedy said.

“You lock your home and lock your car. Don’t make yourself an easy target,” Lowery said.

The Spanish Fort Police Department and the Baldwin County Police Department are also involved in the investigation.

Any residents with knowledge of the incidents and those who see suspicious activity within neighborhoods or subdivisions should immediately contact the Daphne P.D. at 621-9100.