Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A locked car door is the easiest way to prevent most entering auto thefts, but many people forget or simply don’t bother.

The Troup County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a string of entering autos that occurred in the 100 block of Wellington Dr.

A total of seven entering auto thefts were reported on Wellington Dr. on Thursday starting around 5:41 a.m. and continuing throughout the morning. Two additional entering autos were reported on Jasmine Ln. and Jasmine Cir., but they do not immediately appear to be related.

According to TCSO Public Information Officer Stewart Smith, the suspects mainly took cash and firearms from unlocked cars.

Entering auto suspects tend to only enter unlocked cars, Smith said.

No suspects have been identified at this time.

TCSO continues to remind residents to properly secure their vehicles to avoid break-ins and to not leave valuables in unattended vehicles. If items of value must be stored in vehicles, keep them out of plain sight or even better, secure them in the trunk.

“We just keep reminding people the importance of locking their cars and removing items from their cars,” Smith said.

Law enforcement officials advise that vehicles are much less likely to be entered if all of the doors are properly secured. Oftentimes, individuals who commit entering auto offenses simply pull on door handles until they find an unlocked car.