Unattended cars in Bel Air's Major's Choice neighborhood became the targets of choice for thieves over the weekend.
"The next morning, I was going to work. I saw the police officers, about three of them sitting down there, and they were all looking around like they were looking for something and then my wife told me that someone was in her car," Rob Rever said.
Starting Friday night through Saturday morning, they ransacked vehicles on five separate streets.
"It's unknown exactly what they were after,” said Sgt. Jim Lockhard of the Bel Air Police Department, “Traditionally, people will leave items of value in their car without thinking that these things would be stolen. They leave purses, laptops, computers, backpacks."
One backpack in particular is now of immediate concern.
It contained a loaded 40-caliber Glock handgun, which has raised the stakes for people who live in the neighborhood.
"It's totally irresponsible, and I don't even understand why you would need to have a loaded gun in your car, and if you are a gun owner, you know better," Kevin Moyna said.
But the tough lessons associated with the theft of the handgun from a man who works for a local security company don't stop there.
"I imagine they had to break into the car. I'm hoping the car wasn't just unlocked," Moyna said.
When he learned it was unlocked, he was shocked.
"Oh my goodness. That's the worst. You know what I mean? With kids around that's a big shame right there. That's scary when you have kids. This is a total neighborhood full of children and to know that someone left a gun in a car. That's scary," he said.
In fact, police say all of the vehicles targeted by the thieves had been left unlocked.
If you have any information that leads to an arrest and indictment in this case, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
Call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
