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DYERSBURG, Tenn. — A spree of car burglaries in Dyersburg brought a warning from police: Lock up your vehicles, and don’t leave valuables in plain sight.

According to police, since July 1 more than a dozen cars and trucks have been burglarized on 11 different streets in East and West Dyersburg.

Police said some of the thefts were from vehicles that weren’t locked in first place or had windows that were down just enough to allow quick access.

The rash of burglaries had some in the area on edge and taking extra precautions.

“I don’t ever leave nothing in my car, never. I take everything out of it, then I lock it,” Dyersburg resident Willie McCrite said.

McCrite said he was so concerned about the reported increase in vehicle break-ins in Dyersburg, he started checking on his SUV every night before he goes to bed.

It’s was all in an effort to make sure he wasn’t the next target.

Dyersburg resident Janet Strahorn said she always takes precautions but believed some people get in too much of a hurry and make it easy for crooks.

“I normally would double check. Make sure my car doors are locked, windows rolled up and all that,” Strahorn said.

Reubel Hart said he was doing whatever he could to avoid crime.

“I got a guard dog. That’s all I can do right now,” Hart said.

Hart moved to Dyer County to get away from crime, and he took some of his in-laws with him.

“My mother-in-law and them, They used to live across the street, and they moved out in the county with me. They feel safer out there than they do here,”  Hart said.

Police said they believed some stolen items were being pawned or sold on the streets.

If you know who might be responsible, Dyersburg Police urged you to call 731-285-1212.