Arlington Heights man accused of entering unlocked cars in Buffalo Grove

An Arlington Heights man is accused of entering four unlocked cars in Buffalo Grove, officials said.

Jawad H. Hakeem, 43, has been charged with four counts of criminal trespass to a vehicle, according to a news release from the Buffalo Grove Police Department.

A resident spotted Hakeem sitting in one of their vehicles around 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 1 and called police, the release said.

The owners of the four vehicles Hakeem is accused of entering reported that no items had been taken, police said, adding they believe he only took loose change.

Since Sept. 1, Buffalo Grove Police have received eight reports of burglary to a vehicle, six reports of criminal trespass to a vehicle and three reports of stolen vehicles and, in all cases, the vehicles had been left unlocked, the release said.

Buffalo Grove police are encouraging residents to lock their cars to deter would-be thieves.

"We cannot stress enough the importance of simply locking your vehicle," Police Chief Steven Casstevens said. "Those committing these crimes are looking to get in and out of a car as quickly as possible without being noticed; locking your doors is an extreme deterrent."