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Highlands Resident, Victim Of Car Break-In Thinks 'It's Escalating'

DENVER (CBS4) - More than a dozen property crimes have people in one Denver neighborhood alarmed.

Just this week three cars were either vandalized or stolen on one block in the Highlands in northwest Denver.

Burglaries and car break-ins typically rise during the warm weather. The Highlands neighborhood is no different, but after a series of break-ins neighbors are pulling out the pad locks to keep criminals out of garages.

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Fingerprint dust on Kim Jones' car (credit: CBS)

Fingerprint dust was smeared all over one car as Denver police try to figure out who broke into Kim Jones's car late Wednesday or early Thursday.

"My glovebox had been ransacked," Jones said. "It's horrible, it's a horrible feeling."

Jones' call to the police led to a Highland's neighbor running down the street in his pajamas to complain about someone breaking into his truck.

"His stereo system and tools, everything was stolen from his truck. His truck was also locked like mine," Jones said.

Jones says a neighbor's car was stolen from the street on Wednesday.

"I don't think (the neighborhood) is safe. I think it's escalating," Jones said.

But the commander of the District 1, covering the Highlands and West Highland neighborhoods, told CBS4 that in the past 28 days larceny is down 50 percent, and burglary is down 15 percent. He believes it's because police have been reminding neighbors to secure their property.

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(credit: CBS)

"Keep the items in your garage, even though your garage door might be closed, keep the items such as your car locked. Bicyle; we would encourage them to lock your bicycle as well," Detective David Harris said.

Jones' neighbor said folks on her block are all being more vigilant.

"I think we're keeping an eye on who's around," she said.

There is encouraging news -- the District 1 commander said a garage burglar was apprehended Friday morning.

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