Orange County deputies said Wednesday that they were searching for a man who could be linked to a string of car burglaries in some affluent central Florida communities.

In the past month, deputies said there have been a string of car burglaries in and around public parks and businesses in the west central portions of Orange County, particularly near Windermere.

Investigators said that most of the cars that were broken into had purses left in sight, and bank cards were being immediately used after thefts.

Deputies said the thefts occurred between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

In one incident, investigators said a woman took her children to Keene Park on Chase Road at about 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 5. She parked her car near a playground in the front of the park, locked her purse in the car and left to play with her children.

A short time later, about 5:13 p.m., a man was captured on surveillance photos using the woman’s ATM card. 

Detectives said the woman returned to her car at about 5:23 p.m. and found her purse missing, with her front passenger's window shattered.

"It makes me a little angry, a little nervous and scared. You like to think there are places you can come and be safe and spend a nice afternoon, so it makes me a little scared," said resident Laura Monninger.

Detectives hope someone will recognize the man.

Anyone recognizing the man is asked to call Crimeline at 407-423-TIPS.