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Gun, cash stolen in rash of hotel car break-ins in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Fla. — Police are working to track down the thieves behind a rash of hotel car break-ins in Melbourne.

At least a dozen vehicles were hit at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place and the Residence Inn.

One of the victims was heading to a funeral when the thieves struck, police said.

That victim and at least a dozen others walked out of their Melbourne hotel rooms Friday morning to find their car windows busted and personal belongings missing.

“They got my iPad, a bunch of cash, my watch is gone, my sunglasses," said victim Scott Jones, who was preparing to go to a funeral.

Police said the thieves got away with a good amount of belongings.

“They were looking for whatever they could grab. They took a bunch of incidentals from people,” said Comdr. Dan Lynch, of the Melbourne Police department. “We did have one vehicle where they took a gun.”

Police said there have been a number of car burglaries in Melbourne, West Melbourne and Palm Bay in recent weeks.

Law enforcement agencies are working together to identify suspects.

In the meantime, investigators said the best deterrent is to keep valuables out of your car and make sure your vehicle is locked.