Southington police are looking for this Infinti G37 in connection with a series of car break-ins in town. 

SOUTHINGTON — It's not enough to simply lock your car doors to keep thieves from stealing your stuff, police say.

A recent surge of “smash-and-grab” car break-ins, including one over the weekend, is prompting police in Southington to warn people to refrain from leaving anything in their vehicles, especially if people walking by can see them. 

Police also are distributing the picture of what is believed to be one smash-and-grab thief's getaway car, a black Infiniti G37, possibly from 2010.

Southington police responded to 18 car break-ins during the past six weeks, Lt. Keith Egan said. Most were along Route 10, and the same thief — the Infiniti's driver — is thought to be responsible for many of them, he said.

“All have been locked vehicles with valuables left in plain view,” Egan said.

Southington police say they are looking for this car, and the person driving it, in connection with smash-and-grab-style car burglaries.  

The 18 vehicles were broken into between Aug. 5 and Sept. 17 at both businesses and homes, with car windows smashed outside a gym, medical facilities, a bar and a strip club, he said. 

Despite the sudden spike in brazen incidents, most thefts involve unlocked cars, Egan said. He offered tips on how to prevent both kinds of burglaries: 

Even if you are parked in front of your house, in your driveway or inside your garage, lock your doors, he said.

“Criminals like to walk down the street and see if a car is unlocked. If it is, they open the door and take whatever is visible and move on to the next target,” Egan said. 

Roll your car windows up all the way and set the car alarm, but do not depend on it as the only way to deter a thief, he said. A car thief can break into your car and be out in about 30 seconds, fast enough that an alarm doesn't scare most of them away, Egan said. 

Avoid leaving anything that someone walking by can see, including spare change, sunglasses or even an empty bag — the thief might think something is inside. Electronics should be well out of sight.

Don't leave proof of concealed valuables

Leaving a power cord or a GPS suction cup mounts is just an invitation for the thief to break in and look for the devices that connect to them, Egan said.

“If you remove the suction cup, make sure to wipe the ring off the windshield; it's a dead giveaway that you own a GPS,” he said 

Egan suggests getting into the habit of putting items you want hidden in the trunk of your car before you arrive at your destination. 

“Thieves will linger in busy parking lots looking for you to stash your valuable items,” he said.

Avoid parking in isolated, poorly-lit areas or in a spot where your car is hidden by larger vehicles.

Know how to report thefts

If you see a crime such as a car break-in or theft in progress, call 911 immediately and provide as much information as possible, including: