Detectives at the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office say keeping criminals at bay could be as simple as remembering to lock your doors.

Thieves have recently targeted unlocked homes and cars as a quick and easy way to steal everything from purses to electronics.

“We’ve been inundated with break-ins and general crimes. It’s a constant problem county wide,” said Det. John Ryan.

Gone are the days when criminals only struck in the dark of night, he said. Several recent break-ins have occurred during daylight.

Some thieves have even been bold enough to break into unlocked cars in a private driveway where the victim left her purse lying in the seat.

“Thieves prey on trusting people. This is not the Haywood County that some of these people grew up in. A lot of the victims we deal with have never ...