Gardendale Police Chief Mike Walker cautioned residents to remove valuables from their vehicles after 11 vehicles were damaged and broken into over the weekend at Woodbrook apartments in the city.

According to Walker, unlike in previous car break-ins, this time the thief or thieves actually damaged the cars to enter them— breaking in windows on the vehicles to gain access.

Walker did say the break-ins resulted in the theft of at least one firearm. Walker asked that residents not leave firearms in vehicles, even if they are locked. Stolen firearms are often used in crimes later and, more immediately, can present a danger to a resident who confronts a burglar or police who might confront them.

Previously, Walker said most car burglaries in the city, in the past, involved vehicles that were left unlocked.

A resident at Woodbrook told The North Jefferson News that the apartment complex did have security cameras, but was uncertain if they were working at the time of the burglaries.