Vehicles burglarized at more than a dozen addresses in Arabi; Virtually all were unlocked and Sheriff Pohlmann urges residents to lock their vehicles; Three men seen on video surveillance and anyone with information should call the S.O. at 271-2501

One item usually not found at the scene of auto burglaries or thefts in St. Bernard Parish is broken glass on the ground. That is because in most cases the vehicles were unlocked, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

That happened again over the weekend when vehicles were burglarized Friday night or early Saturday at more than a dozen addresses in Arabi, the sheriff said.

Money, electronics, ammunition and other items were reported stolen and an investigation is underway. Three men were seen on a video surveillance system at a home where one of the burglaries happened. Anyone with information about the identity of the burglars should call the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501.

Like in most such instances in St. Bernard, nearly all the vehicles were unlocked, the sheriff said.

“Residents could help prevent becoming a victim of such crimes if they would remember to lock their vehicles when they get out,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said.

“I know it’s easy to forget to do that, especially if you are unloading groceries or other items or busy getting children out,’’ the sheriff said.

But keep on mind there are often people walking around at night who pull on door handles of parked vehicles just to see if they can steal something, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

“We see all the time when there are vehicle burglaries a video surveillance system on a street shows people pulling on door handles,’’ the sheriff said. “Our patrol deputies look for people doing that and we have made arrests of ones we spot doing it who are carrying items they have taken from vehicles. But it’s difficult.

“Residents would be protecting themselves if they remembered to lock vehicles or at least remove valuables, especially firearms.’’