The South Williamsport Police Department is investigating two incidents in which vehicle windows were smashed while parked along the river near the site of the future Local Government Center and Community Building, 545 E. Central Ave., according to borough Police Chief Daniel Embeck.

The burglaries, which occurred during the day, are being investigated by Sergeant Jacob Summers, Embeck said.

A similar incident is also under investigation in the Montoursville borough, where the front passenger window of a vehicle was smashed while it was in the Indian Park parking lot shortly after noon Monday, while a victim was walking his dog, according to Patrolman Marcus Watkins.

There were no witnesses or surveillance video of the attacker, and purses were stolen from the vehicles in all three incidents, authorities said.

Although few clues have come to light so far, Embeck said there are several precautions residents can take to guard against such invasions.

“We generally don’t have people breaking windows or breaking into cars because it attracts too much attention. Most of the time, this involves entry into an unlocked vehicle. Embeck said.

The most effective action residents can take is to keep their vehicles locked.

Most break-ins have occurred at night, when criminals look through windows to see if valuables are in sight, and then attempt to enter through unlocked doors, the chief said. explain.

“So, number two, don’t leave valuables in the car, like your purse, your wallet, your phone, and especially don’t leave them in plain sight,” Embeck advised.

“If you leave something valuable in plain sight, there is a good chance it will be stolen.” he said.

Particularly during the holiday season, Embeck strongly encourages citizens to take their packages and finds with them as soon as they return home.

“At this time of year when you’re out shopping, if you leave bags or packages you bought in the car, that’s just like asking someone to break into your car and take them fly”, said the chief.

Above all, Embeck stressed the importance of not leaving firearms in vehicles unattended.

“If you have a gun in your vehicle and you go out, take it with you, take it home if you can’t take it to work” he insisted.

“If someone breaks in, they now have a gun, and what happens with those guns? They end up on the streets, where they are sold or traded for drugs, and end up in the hands of drug dealers, drug users, gang members, and they can be used to commit violent crimes. Embeck explained.