Carol Stream police investigating series of car break-ins

Carol Stream police are investigating a string of burglaries to cars parked at the village's Town Center, a strip mall across the street and the GymNasti training facility farther south on Gary Avenue.

Police have so far received reports of about 10 break-ins this week, Deputy Chief John Jungers said. Investigators suspect a crew of thieves worked quickly to target recreation centers where patrons leave valuables behind while they work out.

"We know it's more than one person, and it's an organized group," Jungers said.

The thefts occurred for the most part between 6:30 and 8 p.m. Monday, Jungers said. At the Town Center parking lot, which also serves the Carol Stream Park District Fountain View Recreation Center, at least four of the cars were locked, and thieves resorted to smashing the windows, Jungers said.

"They're specially targeting ones with valuables left in plain view," he said.

Police are working to determine if the thefts are connected to ones reported at the nearby Fountain View Drive strip mall.

Stolen items included purses and wallets. Jungers said crew members apparently aren't interested in "electronics or things they can pawn," but are looking for credit and debit cards and IDs.

Police have some leads on the stolen cards and are piecing together surveillance video, Jungers said.

The break-ins prompted an alert by the Carol Stream Park District warning users to lock their car doors, close the windows, park in well-lighted areas and hide valuables, including loose change, purses, laptop bags and phones.

Anyone with information about the thefts should call Carol Stream police at (630) 668-2167 and ask for the investigations division.