At the end of September, several cars were broken into in the Big Vanilla Arnold parking lot and a Severna Park home was burglarized.  

After the string of car break-ins, Anne Arundel County police urged residents to lock their cars and reminded them not to leave valuables in their vehicles.

Police spokesman Justin Mulcahy said there were four reported cases of vehicle theft the morning of Sept. 21, in which someone damaged and gained access to vehicles in the parking lot and took money and electronics.

Furthermore, between Aug. 24-26 seven cars were broken into while they were parked in Severna Park neighborhoods. After the incident, Mulcahy said that in most cases the vehicles were secured the previous night and owners reported finding out the next morning that the vehicles had been broken into, and that personal items and money had been taken.

On Sept. 24, a home break-in in the Westridge community prompted the homeowner to remind people to lock their windows when they leave their homes—even if they are only open to enjoy the cool weather.

The owner, who asked to remain anonymous, said the suspect or suspects gained entry through an “unlocked or not completely locked” second-story window. The resident said an item that could be easily "pocketed" was taken, but Mulcahy did not confirm that anything was removed from the home.

These incidents come less than a year after a few area homes were burglarized in February.

Locking a window or securing valuables could have prevented some of the break-ins. A reader told Patch she no longer leaves her purse in her car when she goes to the gym, as a result of the Big Vanilla car break-ins.

Have the recent home burglaries and car thefts forced you to change some of your habits? Are you locking your windows and securing your valuables? Vote in our poll and tell us why in the comments.