NASHUA – Police are cautioning residents who park their vehicles in their driveways or near their homes to be sure they lock them up, especially when parking them overnight.

The reminder comes as a number of Nashua residents in various parts of the city have reported their cars being entered, and in some cases having items such as electronics or cash or credit cards stolen.

Posts to local-centric social media sites over the past week or so indicate break-ins have occurred in many neighborhoods across the city, but reports from residents in the French Hill and North End sections appear to be more common.

Nashua Police Sgt. Michael Lang said Monday that while police have been receiving calls regarding vehicle break-ins over the past week to 10 days, the number of reports doesn’t appear to represent a significant uptick in such incidents.

“We’ve had some reports, but it doesn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary,” Lang said, adding that vehicle break-ins “are, unfortunately, a persistent crime we need to deal with.”

One woman who posted to social media said she and her boyfriend “caught a male and female breaking into (the boyfriend’s) car” on Atherton Avenue, which is at the foot of French Hill.

She said the two chased the suspects on foot toward Lock Street while she was on the phone with police.

Vehicle break-ins such as the ones being reported in Nashua are often considered “crimes of opportunity,” meaning the suspect or suspects try to open the vehicle’s doors, but stop short of using force. If the vehicle is locked up, the suspect almost always moves on.

If a door opens, the suspect typically rummages through the vehicle in search of easy targets like cellphones, other electronics, purses, wallets, cash or credit cards, then continue on their way.

Lane, meanwhile, said police are making headway on an investigation into break-in reports in the North End area.

“It’s at the early stages right now, but we’re developing suspects at this time,” he said.

In addition to reminding residents to lock their vehicles, Lang urges people to call police if they see anything that appears suspicious.

If it’s urgent, call 911, otherwise call police headquarters at 594-3500.

“We can only help if you call us,” Lang added.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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