VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Vancouver police said there has been a spike in car break-ins on the city's east side.

From Oct. 7-29, prowlers stole from 28 cars in east Vancouver. Purses, GPS units, laptop computers and a gun were reported stolen.

Briana McCartney, who works on the east side of Vancouver, said there easily could have been more victims, including her. She said her boss caught two men casing cars in the parking lot and checking door handles in hopes of finding an easy target.

"They were pulling the handles to see if it was unlocked and looking in the windows, surrounding the car," McCartney said.

While police said it's unclear if the recent rash of break-ins is related, nearly all of the victims left valuables in plain sight. Despite warnings, Vancouver police said people continue to make the same mistakes.

"I carry my valuables with me and keep things hidden if I do have some packages and that type of thing," said Dianne Webberly, who was shopping in Vancouver on Tuesday.

Officers said simply not leaving valuables in cars can prevent thefts. They also recommend writing down serial numbers to valuable items so there's a better chance of having them returned.

Car Prowls Up On Vancouver's East Side