News 12 at 6 o'clock; September 24, 2008

ACROSS THE CSRA --- The latest round of car break-ins have happened in North Augusta on Sand Hill Court and Windy Mill Drive. But, the break-ins are happening all over the area. Six people have been arrested recently in car break-in related crimes.

A 22-caliber pistol was stolen from a car in front of a house on Sand Hill Court. A shotgun was stolen from a car on Windy Mill Road. That's two more guns, stolen and on the street.

"My lab just started going crazy, barking," says Brian Pitts. He says the dog was barking as a warning to him that his truck -- that had one unlocked door -- was about to get broken into.

"The satellite system ripped out," says Brian. "The wires, they were on the floorboard."

Investigators say thieves hit another car at Brian's house on the same night. It belonged to one of Brian's co-workers and it was locked.

"His windows had been smashed, and he had a pistol stolen from his car," says Brian.

Another locked car was hit on the same night too, right across the street from Brian. There were also more car break-ins right around the corner from him.

Just last week, three men were arrested and charged in seven Richmond County car break-ins. Investigators in Columbia County say, they are connected to break-ins in Columbia County and North Augusta too.

Then, this past weekend, three boys were arrested on Oak Brook Drive in Columbia County, after admitting they were trying to pull on doors of cars to find ones that were unlocked.

Just by pressing the lock button on your car, you could save yourself a whole lot of money.

Depending on the insurance company, if you don't lock your doors, you could see a spike in your rates because of negligence. Another factor to consider is whether the items in your car are covered by your comprehensive insurance. To be covered, items must be attached to the car. Also, most people will pay a $500 deductible before coverage even kicks in. So, you end up paying for a crime that you could help prevent.

If the items stolen from the car are personal items, like laptop computers and guns, then your home or renter's insurance will have to cover those loses. If you don't have either, then you're out of luck.