Ironton police are warning people not to leave anything in plain view in their cars as a rash of car break-ins continue.

Police Det., Capt. Chris Bowman said he doesn’t think the break-ins are the work of one or two people but many people intent on committing the same kind of crime.

“This is definitely not the work of one or two people,” Bowman said. “I wish it was one person; it would make it a whole lot easier.”

Bowman said patrols have been increased to help combat the problem and said he suspects in spite of the number of break-ins that have been reported, there are probably some that victims simply don’t report.

Bowman said he thinks many of the crimes are a direct result of drug abuse; people needing that fix look for cash or items they can easily steal and pawn.

Ironton Police Officer Grover Carter said he thought the poor economy might be partly to blame; people in need of money for any reason resort to crime to find cash or easily sold items.

“Have you priced cigarettes lately?” Carter asked.

The list of items that are reported stolen in Ironton in the past two to three months includes pocket change, electronics, women’s purses and even clothing. Bowman repeated advice he has given numerous times in the past: don’t leave cars unlocked, don’t leave valuables in cars and particularly not in plain sight.