A recent rash of entering auto complaints is keeping Barrow County Sheriff’s deputies busy. In the span of two weeks, 18 complaints were called in and more than $10,500 worth of goods was reported stolen.

Some of the items taken include a Ford Truck, a laptop computer valued at $3,000, several GPS or navigation systems, CDs, jewelry, cell phones, a wallet, stereo equipment and prescription drugs.

Entering auto charges are a very serious crime, but unfortunately, are common and often lead investigators nowhere.

Nearly 2.5 million car break-ins are reported annually in the U.S., which is an average of about 281 break-ins every hour.

There is no way to prevent the crime 100 percent, but there are ways to decrease your risk, according to associatedcontent.com.

Some low-cost methods include parking in well lit, high-traffic areas; making sure no valuable items are in plain site by removing them, hiding them or putting the in the trunk; locking all the doors; and rolling up all the windows.

Some other considerations to make is to do research on certain vehicles before making a purchase (some vehicles are broken into more than others), purchasing detachable face plates for the stereo and making sound systems inconspicuous by placing them in the trunk or other less noticeable places.