Police: Thief smashes car windows in a Medford park

Medford, NJ (WTXF) Valuables left in plain sight inside cars at Bob Bende Park in Medford. It's where police say someone smashed the windows of two locked cars last week.

"I just heard from a friend you'd better lock your car or make sure that your belongings are safe because there were a few break-ins while soccer practice was going on," said Maureen Bartasius. She comes here with her 8-year old son Michael. She locks her purse in the trunk unlike some others we talked to.

" I guess they're so preoccupied with getting their kids to activities on time and rushing around. You just take for granted you're in a safe area in a safe neighborhood," she said.

Another woman admits she leaves things visible in her car here all the time.

"I have things in my car and I have my car unlocked," said Angelita Fasnacht. She showed us how she leaves her window down and doors unlocked. Her daughter's cellphone was inside.
"I came like in a rush and I said ok let's go in a rush, everybody on time," explained Fasnacht.
Police say the smash and grabs happened just before 7:30 at night. The suspect got away with purses, cash, credit cards and other things.

"Lock your car doors and take your personal affects with you, things that are of value or at least hide them in your car and conceal them," said Lt. Arthur Waterman with Medford Township Police.

Other parents we talked to now plan to change their habits.

"I always leave my stuff in my car, it's Medford and this is like all the parents we come here for kids games and tryouts, I have my purse in there, his little tablet so I'm glad you guys told us," said Markeeta Kagan, there with her son Gabriel.
John Pinto said, "It's a little shocking especially that time of night around 7:00. You wouldn't expect it to happen right here especially with the amount of people that are always around."