Five suburban moms were victims in what police are calling a “brazen” burglary spree in three daycare-center parking lots.

Aurora police are investigating five burglaries to motor vehicles that were parked for short amounts of time in three different daycare center parking lots in the DuPage County section of the city.

The burglaries occurred between 5:20 and 5:50 p.m., Sept. 24. The victims were five mothers who had gone to pick up their children from the various locations and had left purses or other valuables in plain view in their vehicles. In three of the five incidents, a suspect smashed a window to gain entrance to the vehicles and within seconds, made off with cash, electronics, credit cards, and other items. In the two other cases, the vehicles were unlocked and valuables taken.

The total loss in all five burglaries is $3,300.

Three of the incidents occurred at Creative World Daycare in the 700 block of Shoreline Drive; and one each at Kindercare in the 700 block of Long Grove Drive and Smart Beginnings Daycare in the 4100 block of Healthway Drive.

Police are calling the crimes “brazen.” They say the incidents also unfortunately serve as reminders of the importance of taking anything of value out of vehicles or hiding the items out of sight, no matter how short the time the vehicle may be left unattended. They add that a vehicle burglar wants an easy target with a guaranteed return that will take the shortest amount of time possible to acquire. Therefore, they seldom break into vehicles that do not have items in plain view. It takes burglars only seconds to break into a vehicle and flee the scene.

Police are asking anyone with information to call Aurora Police Investigations at 630-256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000.

Callers to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and qualify for a cash reward of up to $5000 for information that leads to any arrests. Tips can also be submitted through the Aurora Police Department’s free app available through iTunes, the Android Market, or Amazon App Store. Simply search for “My Police Department.” find the Aurora Police, and download.

SOURCE: Aurora Police Department