Port Neches police are investigating approximately 20 auto burglaries from over the weekend.

But there is a bit of silver lining in this dark cloud — investigators have been presented with a lot of video of the crimes.

Port Neches Police Chief Paul Lemoine made the announcement of the auto break-ins on social media saying the following areas were hit:

• One on Montgomery
• One on Marion,
• One on McArthur,
• Five were on Sixth Street between the 1900 block to the 2200 block.
• Four were on Block Street.
• One on Seventh
• One on 10th Street
• One on Gist
• One on Ruth Lane
• Two on South Kitchen
• One on East Kitchen

The crimes happened in clusters all over the city.

Lemoine said some of the stolen articles were recovered and returned to the owners, including wallets and identification that was discarded after the fact and discovered by officers or residents walking the streets.

“Remain vigilant, call in suspicious behavior, remove valuables from your vehicles and lock your vehicles,” Lemoine said. “You know your neighborhoods better than anyone. If you see suspicious behavior call Central Dispatcher at 409-722-3122 or 911 if it is a crime in progress.”

Other cities

The city of Nederland had one reported auto burglary Friday where a backpack with a laptop was stolen. Nothing has been recovered at this point, Nederland Police Chief Gary Porter said.

Like Port Neches, the vehicle in question in Nederland was left unlocked.

Port Arthur did not experience any of the auto burglaries like the sister cities, Port Arthur Police Det. Mike Hebert said.

Recent crimes

This isn’t the only rash of auto burglaries in the area of late; back around the weekend of Aug. 17 there were 13 vehicles burglarized between Groves ad Nederland and all of the vehicles were left unlocked.

In Groves, the eight vehicles burglarized were all north of Texas 73. Nederland had five reported auto burglaries in the Lakes of Nederland and Holmes Road areas.