GASTONIA, N.C. --
Police in Gastonia are investigating a string of car break-ins that happened late this week. Among the items stolen were GPS units, cash and a sheriff's deputy's badge.
The badge was taken from the inside of the deputy's personal car, which was parked at her home.
The Gaston County Sheriff's Office says the deputy filed a report when she realized it was missing. And while they say someone could try to use the badge to show some type of authority, police say it's not a big concern.
Gastonia police Sgt. Mike Larry said, "It's not likely that someone will use the badge to try and impersonate a police officer."
But the break-ins are a concern to the other victims. Kim Cobb lives along Macgregor Road and is one of four victims.
"It's a real violation. It's a scary feeling. It's like you can't trust people," she said.
Cobb said her doors were unlocked. The thieves stole cash she had in the middle console, and an iPod from her daughter's car, which was also left unlocked.
It was a similar story for Nancy Stowe, who lives about a mile and a half from Cobb on Horseman Drive.
"I do not lock my vehicle. We've lived here for 30 years and we never had any reason to," Stowe said.
But this week she was given two reasons to start. She says someone tried to break into her truck Thursday night, and her husband's the night before.
His truck was locked, and they didn't get in. Despite the recent spike in attempted robberies, Stowe says she still feels safe.
Police say without an eyewitness description, it's going to be very difficult to find the perpetrators.
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