ORLANDO, Fla. -- A crime wave is plaguing Orlando and Orange County as dozens of cars have been broken into, and residents said they fear the incidents may escalate into something more dangerous.

Police said neighborhoods near Windermere, Doctor Phillips and Bay Hill have been targeted, with many of the car break-ins occurring in broad daylight.

"These people know what they're doing, they're able to scare us and take from us without getting caught," said Doctor Phillips resident Jessica Wolf. "It's been several streets. But just on my cul-de-sac alone, I've confirmed with eight of my neighbors just on this side, and they were all hit."

Police said the thieves go house to house seeking cars with easy access. Laptops, GPS units and money have been stolen from cars parked in driveway.

Wolf said her car was broken into during the middle of the day two weeks ago.

"I realized my passenger-side door was open and that's when I looked around and I saw that that side of the door was open and my back window latch was open as well," said Wolf, who added that her car had been locked.

Wolf said she called the Orange County Sheriff's Office and warned her neighbors.

"Any human should be responsible for notifying those around them if there's something happening that could affect everyone," Wolf said.

Crime statistics show that car burglaries have increased in Orange County by 30 percent over the last year.

Orlando police said there's been a major increase in car burglaries in neighborhoods near the Mall at Millenia and Rosemont.

"Orlando police Sgt. Clint Hulcher said eight out of every 10 burglaries committed here in Orange County have been committed through unlocked doors or opened windows," Wolf said.

Police said most of the cars broken into were left unlocked.

"You get a sense you don't need to do that here, because it's such a nice neighborhood, (it's) so quiet and things like this happen without any noise or any breaking of anything," Wolf said.

Wolf said a similar crime wave occurred four years ago, and she's concerned the incidents will turn into something more sinister.

"It all started again with people hitting our cars," said Wolf, who added that deputies told her previously that criminals usually do not return to the same area. "They have come back and they've come in our homes and it's getting to be really dangerous."

Wolf said she has seen deputies patrolling outside her neighborhood but not on her street.

Police said car owners can take steps to reduce the chance of their vehicle being broken into.

"These are crimes of opportunity, so they're really looking for an opportunity to reach in and steal something or to take something to make some fast money," Hulcher said. "Ladies don't leave your purses (in your cars), lock them in your trunk, put them where you cannot see them, where they're not readily accessible."

Hulcher said visible valuables are a target.

"I'll focus your attention to the GPS system, one of the most common reasons they break into the car. They retail for a couple hundred dollars, so it's easy to pawn those," he said. "There's a computer there sitting on the front, could be in the back. Again, they look in as they walk by, they see it, they turn around and circle around."

Hulcher said keys and garage-door openers should not be left in cars.

"They look and they got the garage door opener, they have your address on your registration, they could visit your house and gain entry into the garage, at least, if not into the rest of your house," he said.

Hulcher said the type of neighborhood people live in does not matter.

"Even gated communities have been victimized because you don't need a car to get in and perpetrate this type of crime," he said. "Removing all of your valuables from the car will very much deter them from breaking the window."

Hulcher said car owners should lock their doors and keep their windows up and try to park inside their garage or under an outdoor light.