Slideshow University Avenue was one of the main areas where car break-ins were reported in Palo Alto from Nov. 5-12, 2018. File photo by Veronica Weber. Previous Next

A series of car burglaries was recorded in Palo Alto from Nov. 5 to this past Monday, all of which occurred near the city's main arteries and some locations repeatedly hit, according to police.

Of the 14 cars found with smashed windows within the past week, 12 vehicles were found with items missing following the break-in, police records show. All of the burglaries occurred within a couple blocks of main roads, such as El Camino Real, Oregon Expressway and University Avenue.

Five of the 12 thefts occurred on Friday from 9-10 p.m., with three occurring at the city's High/Alma South Garage downtown at 528 High St. On average, car break-ins occur during the evening, with few seen during the day, police Sgt. Adrienne Moore said.

Other locations that were repeatedly struck include Stanford Shopping Center at 180 El Camino Real, where two cars were burglarized. One occurred on Nov. 5 and another nearly a week later on Sunday. Police also took reports of two car break-ins at 460 Emerson St., near Wahlburgers, where one was reported on Thursday, followed by another on Friday.

Most people reported missing electronics following the break-ins, along with one tennis racket and a bag of medical tools. No one has been arrested as of Wednesday afternoon, and no tools used in the burglaries were found at each scene, according to Moore. Even a pebble could be used to access a car, she added.