Heather Childers admits, at times, she is forgetful.
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- Theft
Not a good idea at all, especially after the rash of break-ins at the Edinburgh Premium Outlets. Over the past two weekends windows were broken, and valuables were taken from 17 cars in the mall parking lot.
"That is a lot," said Childers.
The way the thieves are working is nothing new. They are scoping out the parking lot, looking for things they want to steal. Once they see something, they break the glass and take off with it.
"The mall is busy, it is right there off the interstate, it is convenient for the shopper, but also convenient for the bad guys," said Edinburgh Police Chief Dave Lutz.
Lutz said these crooks have an appetite for electronics, items like iPads and cellphones. The thieves have also gotten away with purses.
"From now on I will grab the purse, but I am going to have to get a smaller purse because this one weighs 20 pounds," said Childers.
For other shoppers, like Paul Holtzlider, keeping valuables out-of-sight has become second nature. A tough lesson 17 victims are now learning the hard way.
"The reason why they do not put them away is because they do not think it will happen to them," said shopper Paul Holtzlider. "Once it does, I will guarantee you that they will not do it again."
Lutz said along with keeping valuables out-of-sight, shoppers should also be willing to call police if they see anything suspicious. Lutz said better to have a false alarm than valuables stolen.
