LAKE MEAD (FOX5) -
Park rangers at Lake Mead National Recreation Area are warning visitors to remove all valuables from their vehicles following a series of break-ins.
"We're getting windows broken into and items getting taken," said Ranger Chris Raynolds.
Over the past 30 days, rangers received reports of a dozen break-ins. Half of them occurred in one spot - the Gold Strike Canyon Trailhead.
"You come here to hike for three to four hours, and you come back and feel violated - it's almost as if you'll never want to come back here again," said hiker Jimmy Duke, who was about to embark on the trail Friday afternoon.
In addition to the six break-ins at Gold Strike Canyon, theft has been reported twice at both White Rock Canyon Trailhead and the Historic Railroad Tunnel Trail lot. The Alan Bible Visitor Center lot and Kingman Wash were each hit once.
Raynolds said theft happens in park areas periodically, but this string of break-ins has patrols on alert.
"A lot of these areas and places can be remote, but we're doing our best to stay on top of it," he said.
Raynolds said the best advice is to lock the doors, secure the windows and remove every visible valuable - even what's in the glove box and console.
"I think if you went away for only a few minutes, it would be the perfect opportunity to get into the car, and they probably know what they're looking for and probably know which cars are easy to break into," said Mike, a parkgoer who did not wish to provide his last name.
Commonly stolen items include purses, wallets, cash and credit cards.
"Obviously, we have to have wallets and stuff when we come, but we pack them in and pack them out kind of thing," park visitor Roberta Jaffe said.
Officials at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area tell FOX5 since hikers usually leave their car for several hours, it is difficult to get an exact timeframe of when these break-ins are happening.
Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity within the park or who has information related to these incidents should call (702) 293-8998.
Copyright 2013 KVVU (KVVU Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
Gold Strike Canyon Trailhead has seen the most theft in the past month, with six break-ins
