Twelve autos burglarized in Donaldsonville

DONALDSONVILLE — Deputies are investigating a rash of nighttime vehicle break-ins committed earlier this month, the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office reported Tuesday.

Twelve vehicles were burglarized in mid-January in the areas of Reynaud Drive, Belle Alliance Drive, Ashland Street and McManor Circle in Donaldsonville, deputies said in a news release.

Items taken include a GPS device, purse, vehicle registration, vehicle insurance paperwork, currency and loose change.

All of the vehicles involved were left unlocked except one, deputies said.

Detectives held a neighborhood meeting where sheriff’s personnel presented information on crime prevention in general and reminded residents that about 95 percent of burglarized vehicles are the ones left unlocked, deputies said.

“I strongly suggest that if you don’t want to be a victim of a car burglary,” Chief Deputy Tony Bacala warned, residents need to remove valuables from their vehicles and keep them locked at all times.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at [phone] or Crime Stoppers at [phone].