Saugus increases police presence after rash of car break-ins

SAUGUS – Assistant Saugus Police Chief Leonard Campanello said he has increased patrols around Central and Saville streets after a rash of car break-ins Sunday night.Six residents on Jones Drive, Social Street, McCullough Road, Clark Street and Pleasant Avenue reported their cars had been broken into sometime Sunday night or Monday morning, and valuables such as iPods and GPS units were stolen.Three victims stated their cars were unlocked, two of which were parked at the same residence.?This type of activity sometimes increases for us and we always advise people to take extra precautions like locking their vehicles and taking any valuables out of their vehicles,” said Campanello. “In response we?ve increased patrols in those areas with the hopes that this activity won?t continue.”Four of the addresses are off of Saville Street and Central Street while Pleasant Avenue is about two miles away off of Essex Street.Campanello said residents should also try to keep any outside lighting on to discourage potential break-ins.?It?s a cyclical process,” said Campanello. “When it starts to happen we get several in a row. When someone breaks into a car to steal items they usually don?t stop at one car. It?s not the first time we?ve seen it. We need cooperation from the public and we?re doing what we can to catch whoever is responsible.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].