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Vehicle burglaries on the rise in Ascension Parish

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ASCENSION PARISH - Burglars are on a spree, targeting cars all over the area in Ascension Parish.

According to the Ascension Parish sheriff's office, on average, it investigates 40 vehicle burglaries a month -- this month, it's up to 70.

"They're going from door to door, shaking car door handles, and hopefully hitting a jackpot with a gun or a purse, or something that they can sell fairly easy," said Sheriff Jeff Wiley.

The sheriff's office has released two surveillance videos of suspects believed to be responsible for multiple vehicle burglaries.

"It's an easy crime to pull off, unless your car is locked," said Wiley.

It's the main rule of thumb, but in some cases, it hasn't helped.

"It was secure, it was here, it was parked, it was locked," said Erica Lemaire, whose husband's work car was broken into just a few weeks ago in front of their Sorrento home.

The car alarm wasn't on and the burglars got away, despite the security signs near her front door, warning trespassers everything is being caught on tape.

"They don't care, I don't know if homes are going to be next," said Lemaire.

As deputies continue to respond to calls, and urge people to, at the very least, lock their doors, Sheriff Wiley urges burglars to think twice.

"There are those victims out there who have guns," said Wiley, "homeowners... some of them, ready, willing, and prepared to take action to preserve their property."

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