Coastal Residents Warned of Auto Burglaries and Thefts

A string of car burglaries and thefts on the San Mateo County
coast has prompted the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office to issue a warning
to residents and visitors.

Items including iPods, cell phones, laptop computers, wallets,
purses and credit cards have been stolen in the burglaries, which have
occurred both in beach parking lots and turnouts, and in residential areas,
according to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

Several vehicles have also been stolen recently from coastal
communities, according to sheriff's deputies.

Stolen credit cards have typically been used very quickly at local
gas stations and department stores to buy expensive items, officials said.      

The thefts are not all related and are probably the work of several different individuals, officials said. But residents are encouraged to be alert for suspicious activity and contact the Sheriff's Office with any information on these crimes at (650) 363-4915.

--Bay City News