EAST LONGMEADOW –  Two teens were arrested in the early morning hours of July 21 in relation to a rash of vehicle break-ins in East Longmeadow. The 13-year-old and 15-year-old from Springfield allegedly broke into vehicles on Lombard, Vineland, and Westwood Avenues, said Sgt. Steven Manning of the East Longmeadow Police Department.

After spotting the suspected individuals in the area, the police gave chase and located two of them with the help of the Massachusetts State Police K9 Unit. The police are looking for a third person involved with these thefts.

Geographically, the crimes have been spread out, said Police Detective Michael Ingalls, who is leading the investigation.

“My gut feeling is its juveniles who get out at night and try to find valuables,” said Manning of whether any adults are involved. “It seems like every year we kind of go through this,” he said.

“Honestly this is an ongoing problem,” said East Longmeadow resident Cara Monette. “Happens every spring/summer in my neighborhood.” Monette’s son’s Toyota Camry was broken into during the early morning hours on July 13.

“The car was parked in our driveway. They slim Jimmied (sic) the passenger side door,” Monette said. “Didn't find anything worth stealing. Just made a big mess and left the car doors ajar.”

Monette said that she feels there is not much she can do to prevent this in the future since she doesn’t have a garage and is concerned a security camera would violate her neighbor’s privacy.

While the car was locked in Monette’s case, Ingalls said that nearly all the break-ins were of cars that were unlocked.

Ashley Kenyon’s 2006 Subaru Forrester was one of the unlocked cars that were broken into. She lives on Orpheum Street in East Longmeadow and had her car parked in her driveway. During the early morning hours, someone entered her car and stole an old pocket knife that belonged to Kenyon’s father, but left the $10 that was in the center console.

“[It’s] as if they were just looking for material things,” Kenyon said. Kenyon usually leaves her car unlocked, but won’t anymore. She said she will also be installing a motion-sensor light in her driveway.

“East Longmeadow is usually safe,” Kenyon said. “And I try not to leave anything in there that’s valuable. But, times and people are changing.”

Monette said there is very little police presence.

“We didn’t even bother with a police report. I've reported this in the past and just received an, ‘oh well, stuff happens’ attitude. It didn't change anything but a waste of time,” Monette said.

Ingalls said that the break-ins were believed to be linked to those in other towns and that arrests in other cities and towns have been made. He said there were also a few car thefts though those vehicles have been recovered.

Hampden is one of the neighboring towns that has also experienced vehicle break-ins. The Hamden Police Department verified that there have been three or four break-ins recently in the vicinity of Carmody Road.

Similarly to East Longmeadow, the break-ins in Hampden have been of vehicles that were unlocked at the time, said Police Chief Jeff Farnsworth

“Please lock your car,” said Farnsworth. “I think it's always advisable not to leave valuables out in the open,” Farnsworth added.

The East Longmeadow Police Department said that any break-in victims can call Detective Michael Ingalls at 486-9005.