The Wellesley Police Department issued the following warning:

The Wellesley Police Department wants to make you aware of recent criminal activity in the surrounding towns and in eastern Massachusetts. To date, this activity has not occurred in Wellesley, but the Wellesley Police Department wants to advise our residents as a proactive crime prevention measure.

There has been a significant increase in forced entry car break ins where vehicle windows are smashed out and purses or wallets are taken from the car. Many times, stolen checks, credit cards, driver’s licenses, and identities are then used in the following days at various banks to fraudulently obtain money.

The suspects involved in this activity have been targeting work out/fitness centers, schools, including daycare facilities and nursery schools. In recent cases, suspects have been waiting for parents to leave the car in a school parking lot, and then immediately smashing out a window and stealing a purse or wallet. The suspects act very quickly once the victim leaves the vehicle, and usually are able to commit the crime and flee the scene in less than one minute. These thefts have been occurring throughout the day, but several recent thefts have occurred prior to 8AM in busy, well populated drop off areas. One or two thefts are typically committed before the suspects move to a different part of eastern Massachusetts.

The Wellesley Police Department wants to remind you to remove your valuable items from your vehicle, especially checks, credit cards, and identification when you get out of your car. Locking the door to your car is not a deterrent to thieves who are willing to smash out a window. Being in a well-traveled and busy area (like a child drop off area at a school) is also not a deterrent to thieves.

Again, this is a proactive warning. Many surrounding communities have experienced these thefts very recently. Please report suspicious activity to the Wellesley Police Department when it happens by either dialing 9-1-1 or 781-235-1212.

MORE: Wellesley Police logs