The State College Police Department has advice for jeep owners: be careful.

The State College area sees a large number of break-ins, particularly among soft-top jeeps, police said.

The police do not keep statistics regarding the type of car involved in a theft, but Sgt. John Gardner said soft-top jeeps are the most common targets.

"(Jeeps) are a target because they're easier to get into," Gardner said. "It's a crime of opportunity."

Police also said the State College area is particularly vulnerable to break-ins.

"In my opinion, the frequency on car break-ins is equivalent to a metro area," Sgt. John Wilson said.

Gardner said students are typically the most vulnerable to theft.

Not only do young people usually own more jeeps, but college students are also less likely to protect themselves.

"When you have a town of this make-up, there are a lot of targets," he said.

"(Students) are usually the most trusting people."

Wilson cited other reasons college students are particularly at risk. College-age people own more CDs and nice stereo equipment, Wilson said.

Gardner has some different advice to jeep owners so that they can avoid being robbed.

His first tip is to keep the vehicle locked at all times.

Gardner also suggests locking valuable items in the trunk, or at the very least, putting them away from view under the seats.

All cars are less likely to be broken into when parked in well-lit or well-populated areas, police said.

Wilson said that while it is best to follow this advice, no area is completely safe. "Every area is at risk," said Wilson. "We've seen break-ins at parking garages, on the street, in isolated parking lots."

Wilson also said that the early morning hours of darkness is when most break-ins occur.

Andrew Miller (senior-administration of justice) had his jeep broken into the Saturday of Thanksgiving break while it was parked behind his house at 234 E. Beaver Ave.

The next morning, he found items in his car shuffled around and his mini-disk player missing.

"To be honest, I didn't really expect it to happen," said Miller.

"I guess from now on, I won't keep valuable things in my car."

Police suggest that victims always report a theft.

Then, if the police recover the stolen items, the victim has a chance of getting their belongings back.

Therefore, police said, it is best to mark valuable items or record their serial numbers.

Police said there is no way to completely avoid being a victim of a crime, but jeep owners should nonetheless follow the suggested precautionary measures.

"If someone wants something bad enough, they'll find a way," said Gardner.

"But you need to make yourself less of a target by not giving them the opportunity."