By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

The Alabaster Police Department is investigating a string of weekend car burglaries, and is encouraging city residents to always keep their doors locked to help prevent similar incidents in the future.

According to the police department, about 12 vehicles were broken into over the weekend of Sept. 21-22 in city neighborhoods. All vehicles broken into were left unlocked, according to the department.

Among the items stolen in the thefts were guns, laptop computers, phones, check books, credit cards, GPS devices and cash. Theft of such items often leads to future crimes such as credit card fraud, identity theft and armed robbery, according to the department.

“The Alabaster Police Department is asking for your help in preventing these crimes,” read a post on the department’s Facebook page. “Remove valuables from your car when it is left unattended. Always lock your doors when your car is unattended.”

Anyone with information related to the weekend car burglaries is encouraged to contact the department at 663-7401.