Car break-ins reported at Hilton Head apartment complex

The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office is warning residents to lock their cars after four break-ins were reported at a Hilton Head Island apartment complex.

At least four car break-ins were reported Sunday at the Summer House apartment complex on Marshland Road, Sheriff's Office spokesman Capt. Bob Bromage said. Three of the four cars broken into were unlocked, he said.

All four were broken into overnight Saturday into Sunday morning. The first was reported around 12:30 a.m., when a woman said she found an unidentified man sitting on the side of her car; the man appeared intoxicated and was holding a black canvas bag that was left in the victim's unlocked car, Bromage said.

The woman asked him if he needed help and he responded he did. When she returned after going back to her apartment to get shoes, she found he had left the area.

The other three break-ins were reported later Sunday morning. Cleaning supplies were stolen from one unlocked vehicle, and golf clubs and other items worth $2,600 were taken from another, Bromage said.

A third car broken into was reported to be locked, but no signs of forced entry were found, he said.

Bromage urged residents to lock their cars, set the alarms, and not leave any valuables in plain view.

This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 12:40 PM with the headline "Car break-ins reported at Hilton Head apartment complex."