Lock your car, and you may deter a potential theft. It’s a fact. Protecting your vehicle and your possessions could be just that simple.

The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office encourages all vehicle owners to keep their cars secured whenever they leave them unattended, even in the driveway at home or parked in a public lot.

Keeping vehicles locked may not have stopped a recent rash of conveyance burglaries that hit two church parking lots on the county’s west side, but securing valuables in the trunk or out of view may have helped curtail the victims’ losses.

On Saturday, Sept. 3, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., five secured vehicles were entered at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 455 S. Suncoast Boulevard in Crystal River. One other secured vehicle was broken into at St. Scholastica Roman Catholic Church, 4301 W. Homosassa Trail in Lecanto.

In an unusual move, all six vehicles were entered by breaking the window glass. The thieves targeted a wallet, backpack, camera bag, purses, cash and cell phones.

Taking the time to lock your vehicle whenever it’s left unattended is the best deterrent in stopping the break-in cycle. Removing valuables from sight is another good practice.

In many instances, thieves simply walk through neighborhoods or parking lots, checking vehicle door handles. When they find one that’s unsecured, they take advantage, and the victim most often is left with a ransacked vehicle, financial loss, aggravation and inconvenience.

Sheriff’s deputies and detectives need your help if vehicle burglaries are ever to be managed. First and foremost, always secure your vehicle, even if it’s parked in front of your home. Also, make a habit of removing valuables before you close the windows and lock the doors. Don’t tempt a thief by leaving behind purses, cash or other items of value in plain view.

For more crime prevention tips, log on to the Sheriff’s Office official website at www.sheriffcitrus.org, and click on “Crime Prevention.” Or talk with a certified CCSO crime prevention practitioner either by calling (352) 527-3701, or e-mailing crimeprevention@sheriffcitrus.org.

If you ever see people acting suspiciously, or suspicious vehicles or activity in your neighborhood, or a public parking lot, call 911 immediately. A tag number, physical description or direction of travel could be the key to solving these or other cases by stopping the burglar or burglars responsible.

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Citrus County, Inc., by texting CITRUS plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), clicking on www.crimestopperscitrus.com or calling 1-888-ANY-TIPS toll-free. Tipsters may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.