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In the wake of a spike of automobile thefts and robberies, Greenbelt police urge residents to be cautious and vigilant in protecting themselves and their valuables.

"Crime, generally, is opportunistic, and the biggest thing is that people are leaving their cars unlocked," said Kelly Lawson, a Greenbelt Police spokeswoman.

Just during the past weekend, Lawson noted 11 reports of theft from autos, with the majority of stolen property consisting of GPS units. Other things that have been stolen are loose cash or change, purses and a laptop. One owner even left his or her car door unlocked and left the keys in the vehicle.

Most of the thefts reported have been from unlocked vehicles, but there have been some smash-and-grabs, Lawson said.

"These thefts can take a matter of seconds. The thief will just real lightly touch the handle to check it," Lawson said. "They can do a street in a matter of minutes."

From January to April 2007, there were 209 thefts, including theft from vehicles. Between January and April 2008, thefts increased to 249, and during the same period this year there were 268 thefts. The police department does not track thefts separately from thefts from vehicles.

The chances of recovering stolen property, especially cash, are very slim, Lawson said. However, if GPS units are stolen and the serial number has been recorded, there is a chance that the property may be recovered if the police find someone with a stash of GPS units.

"I can't say I'm especially worried as of late," said Old Greenbelt resident Christopher Shuman. "I've recently been parking my car on the street instead of the garage, but I usually remember to use The Club."

Shuman's neighborhood is watched by the Old Greenbelt Neighborhood Watch. There are also neighborhood watches for Windsor Green and Hunting Ridge.

Old Greenbelt resident Ben Scott was attacked Friday night near 12 Ridge Road while walking home from a friend's house.

"I was talking on the phone and he jumped out from the side and told me to give him my wallet and then hit me with his gun," Scott said.

Scott said he gave up his wallet after having the gun pointed at him but managed to retain his iPhone and laptop.

"[The thieves] could be young kids out at night or drug addicts," Lawson said. "They look for loose change or things they can sell for drugs and they tend to be more opportunistic. They don't think of it being as serious of a crime because they didn't damage anything."

Some residents are also concerned with crime centered on the Spellman Overpass, which in just the past four months has been vandalized and has been the scene of a strong-armed robbery.

Mary Murchison-Edwords has lived in Windsor Green for seven years, and said she has recently noticed an increase in crime and other disturbances. A couple of years ago, her youngest daughter's friend was attacked on the Spellman Overpass by a group of teenagers.

"I think the overpass should remain open and pedestrians should always be aware of their surroundings," Murchison-Edwords wrote in an e-mail.

Currently, the police have increased their street and foot patrol. Residents who see any suspicious activity are asked to contact the police department at 301-474-7200.

E-mail Jordan Attebury at jattebury@gazette.net.