Thieves target belongings and vehicles in Mount Laurel

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. (FOX 29) - Let this be a warning to everyone - thieves are desperate to get into cars. Police say it doesn't matter if the doors are locked.

"I'm a little alarmed. It seems like a pretty safe place," said Sandy Lawson.

Lawson feels uneasy as the next person when thinking of a broad daylight car break-in that happened outside of a swim club, according to Mt. Laurel police.

But, there could have been other cases. Police say surveillance video shows a possible suspect on the prowl.

"Pretty alarming cause I've been pretty comfortable coming here a lot and I don't really worry too much," stated Lawson.

Mt. Laurel police say the surveillance video shows a suspected thief checking out a car before getting into a vehicle with out-of-state plates and driving off.

Police say this happened before the theft outside of the Gold Fish Swim Club on March 20, where police say a person came out to find their front passenger window smashed and a bunch of belongings gone.

"Disgusting. Praying on people like that," Lawson added.

"I see things like this happening all the time in public transportation. They just have no regard for cameras or the laws. Nobody seems to care anymore," said Eric Kirchner.

Detectives also say they are investigating to see if the break-ins are the work of the so-called Felony Lane Gang, a group of out-of-state thieves who target women, swiping purses and wallets and using the bank cards at ATMs for quick cash.

"it's always something. You've got to be careful. Everybody's trying to scam you these days. Stealing your cards, whatever," Kirchner added.