Cranberry police and other law enforcement agencies throughout the region have seen a sharp uptick in reports of thefts from parked vehicles this summer. Most of the time, they’re items taken from unlocked cars. However sometimes – particularly when valuables can be seen through the car’s windows – break-ins have also occurred. To protect yourself against theft, Cranberry police strongly encourage motorists to lock their cars, even when parking for a short time or on their own driveways, and to keep valuables including laptops, phones, GPS units, wallets, purses and tools locked in the car’s trunk and out of sight from prying eyes. But don’t try to hide those items once you arrive in a public parking place; do it before you leave home. Otherwise thieves will be able to see what you have and where you’re hiding it so that the moment you’re gone, they can swoop in, grab your stuff, and make a fast getaway.