Car break-ins soaring during holiday shopping season

High-priced holiday gifts are the perfect targets for thieves.  That's why police say a rash of car break-ins is sweeping across Cedar Rapids.

There were 60 vehicle thefts in 2008.  That number has more than doubled in 2010, to 135.  Starting on Black Friday, numerous reports of car break-ins started popping up in the area.  And that trend isn't dying down.

“A car that left one store had a flat screen in the back of their car and went to another store and somebody went in and stole it,” said Cedar Rapids Police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin.

Hamblin says once you get those gifts safely in your home, don't display presents under a Christmas tree near a window.  After Christmas morning, dispose of your trash discretely so thieves don't know what new goodies you're keeping inside.