Five vehicles in one night have been targeted by car thieves in St Austell.
The thieves swept through the new Lovering Fields development and nearby roads overnight Saturday.
Inspector Stuart Gibbons, for the town's police, is warning this could be the start of a returning trend in car crime, which has previously plagued the area.
During this weekend's spate a white Ford Focus was broken into on Gwithian Rd, St Austell. Luckily the car was not damaged and no items were stolen, say police.
A blue Peugeot parked on Hammer Drive was also targeted. Once again the thieves struck without damaging the vehicle but an Ipod, £5 in cash and a pair of Oakley sunglasses were snatched.
Police are also investigating the break- in of a red Peugeot 308 estate on Mullion Road. Its owners did not realise the vehicle had been targeted until they spotted the boot slightly ajar and realised the baby carrier had been tampered with.
Mr Gibbons said: "There is a distinct modus operandi which is why we think these are connected.
"The following break-in of a grey Peugeot 308 on Penhaligon Way was a slight distance away but still within the same time frame."
The unlocked car was parked on the drive and the thieves snatched a satellite navigation system and sunglasses.
Another unlocked car, again a Peugeot 206 on Curtice Close (CORR) was also struck and an Ipod mini and a satellite navigation system were taken.
Mr Gibbons said: "It's an emerging trend.
"Last time it went on for several weeks and we had countless vehicles broken into."
He is urging residents with information or who are offered items fitting the description of those stolen to contact police officers.
"The obvious message for owners in that particular area and particularly if they are the owners of French vehicles is to make sure their vehicles are locked and they take all items such as sat navs, Ipods and sunglasses out and secure them properly", added Mr Gibbons.
Anyone with information is requested to call the police on 101.
