KNIGHTDALE - Police are urging residents to lock the doors to their homes and vehicles after a string of break-ins in the Churchill subdivision on Jan. 22 and 23.

At least 25 cars were broken into and more than $1,400 in personal property was stolen on Agile Drive, Ferdinand Drive, Kingman Drive, Morning Colors Drive, Old Rosebud Drive, Twin Spires Drive, and Winning Colors Drive.

Twenty-three victims were listed in police reports.

“Most of (the break-ins), if not all of them, could have been avoided if people would have locked their cars,” Shawn Brown, Knightdale Public Safety Director, said.

They say the number of vehicles that were broken into exceeds 30, but that some victims did not report anything stolen.

“Some people just got lucky,” Knightdale officer Justin Guthrie said.

Reported stolen were: a GPS device, jewelry, an iPod Touch, a stereo, two DVD players, a wallet, checks, credit cards, two black coats, a Nextel cell phone, and a driver’s license.

The Churchill Community Watch has encouraged residents there to park their vehicles in their garages, lock them, and to store valuables somewhere besides their vehicles, said Crystal Whittenton, the Homeowners Association manager for Churchill.

“Police told us that most of the valuables stolen were in plain sight,” Whittenton said. “We’re hoping to nip this in the bud before it gets worse.”

Police have not made any arrests and currently have no leads.

Those with information about the thefts are asked to call Knightdale police at 217-2261.

Callers can also relay information to police anonymously through Eastern Wake Crimestoppers at 919-366-CRIM (2746).