BATON ROUGE - The number of car thefts in Baton Rouge is up from where they were this time last year, according to a public data service. 

One woman had to learn that lesson the hard way. Ashley Robinson told News 2 she did her own detective work to find her car that was stolen from a gas station on Airline Hwy.

"They broke the passenger window. They took my radio out my car. They took my baby bag that was in the back seat. They took all my baby food, baby clothes, my school money that was in the car, my clothes. They took everything," Robinson said.

Robinson reported the car stolen to the Baton Rouge Police Department and then took the investigation into her own hands. She said she drove around the city for three days from dusk to down searching for her four-door silver Subaru.

Robinson said she finally spotted her car just a few blocks from where it was taken.

"I let them know that I was following my car. I let them know every intersection that I went too and what exit we was getting off on. And once I made it up the street the police was there," Robinson said.

According to public records obtained through Open Data BR, auto thefts usually increase during the spring and summer months.

There were 151 car thefts during April and May of 2016. This year, that number has increased to 223.

Robinson said after her incident, she has definitely learned a lesson.

"I mean I'm grateful that I did find my car but it's just that everything that was inside of it is gone. I mean I'm really starting over from nothing," Robinson said.

The vehicle was recovered at a residence near Hwy 19. Three minors were reportedly arrested in connection to the theft, but officials are still looking for the man in the surveillance video.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact BRPD.