Posted: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 --- 5:50p.m.

Release from Madison Police Department:

Incident Date 07/24/2012 - 8:22 AM
Address Harrington Dr./Highcliff Trail

Several vehicles were broken into overnight in the MPD's East District. A thief, or thieves, damaged doors and broke windows out of 5 vehicles that were parked in a Harrington Dr. apartment building’s underground garage. There was also a report of a similar crime in the 700 block of Highcliff Trail where one vehicle was targeted.

Investigating officers indicated it appears some vehicles were selected because electronic items had been left in plain view.

On the MPD’s YouTube site, Crime Prevention Officer Frank Chandler offers some tips to citizens about how they can try to protect themselves from thieves. Here is a link to the video :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjlX61NtJLY&feature=plcp

East District officers took reports Monday morning concerning windows being smashed out of several vehicles that were parked on Corry St., Talmadge St., and Bashford Ave.