Backpacks and purses left in plain sight appear to be the common denominator for a rash of automobile break-ins over the Thanksgiving holiday on Orcas Island, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

The cars that were broken into were parked in public lots around the islands and the break-ins occurred both in daylight and under the cover of darkness as well. Damage to the vehicles reportedly exceeds the collective value of stolen property.

“As deputies work on investigating leads, I would remind people to not leave items of value in view inside a parked car,” Sheriff Rob Nou said in a press release. “A crime that may take seconds to occur can cause hours of effort in repairs, canceling accounts, replacing credit and debit cards, and worrying about subsequent identity theft.”

Anyone with information about the break-ins is asked to contact the Sheriff’s office, at 378-4151.