Weirton police are warning residents to lock their vehicles as the number of thefts is increasing in the city.

"We've had an increase with vehicles being broken into and the common denominator in all these cases is that the cars are left unlocked," said Weirton Police Chief Bruce Marshall.

Overnight, police arrested two juveniles in connection with the theft investigations and recovered a large amount of property reported stolen.

Danielle DiBacco, whose purse was stolen from her car Monday night, said she knew she made a mistake by not locking her car, especially after hearing rumors that a thief was targeting vehicles in her neighborhood on Marland Heights.

DiBacco said she didn't think it could happen to her outside of her own home and she hopes others won't make the same mistake.

"Nothing's ever happened and I just didn't expect it," she said. "I pulled in, parked my car, went inside, had dinner, woke up the next morning, went to work and then I noticed everything was pulled out of my glove compartments, out of the middle console and all over my car. My bag was spilled and my purse was gone."

DiBacco found out she wasn't alone after she filed a police report.

"The police actually had my purse along with a lot of other people's things and so I went down and did pick it up and everything was recovered. They did tell me that they did catch the persons who were breaking in, so that's a good thing," she said.

Marshall said Weirton police has had extra patrols out all summer, but residents need to do their part too.

"We're going to continue extra patrols through the holiday season and what we ask is that the public lock their vehicles at night. Just common sense things," Marshall said.

Even though two suspects were taken into custody, police are still investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NEWS9 Lauttamus Security Crime Busters Tipline at 800-862-BUST. Tips can also be emailed to crimebusters@wtov.com.