COTTAGE GROVE (WKOW) — Authorities say a series of home burglaries, vehicle thefts and break-ins over the weekend in Windsor and Cottage Grove are believed to be linked to an organized group whose crime spree expanded outside of Dane County.

Dane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a Hayden Road home in the village of Windsor for a burglary early Saturday morning, according to a press release from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office. The owners reported thieves inside their home at 2:30 a.m. after they received an alert from a security device.

The owners got to the house in time to see two SUVs, a Lexus and an Inifinity, pull away and get the license plates. The sheriff’s office said the thieves took cash, jewelry and other valuables from the house after they used a garage door opener in an unlocked vehicle in the driveway.

Law enforcement pursued both SUVs at various times following the burglary but were never able to make a stop. The two vehicles, according to the sheriff’s office, were stolen from Fond du Lac County.

Deputies believe the Windsor burglary was perpetrated by the same group of eight people who, an hour earlier, were caught on camera running through a Cottage Grove neighborhood. looking for unlocked cars.

The group of eight, according to the Cottage Grove Police Department, eventually stole a 2019 BMW on School Road.

The sheriff’s office asked anyone with information or additional video to contact the tip line at (608) 284-6900.

“Citizens should be extra vigilant about locking their homes, garages and vehicles. This group is often targeting homes/neighborhoods with luxury vehicles,” the sheriff’s office said. “Be watchful of activity in your neighborhood and report anything suspicious to law enforcement immediately.”