GAINESVILLE - As residents ramp up their holiday shopping inside area stores, police are warning people there are some thieves outside who are using the parking lot as a discount aisle. 

 

As the holiday shopping season begins, some shoppers feel content leaving their holiday gift purchases in the backseat of their car. But police are warning residents to hide those gifts, either under a seat or in the trunk of their car, making them less accessible to any thieves. 

 

"They're going to look for something that's very easy to steal, especially if your door is unlocked and your windows are down," said Ben Tobias, spokesperson for the Gainesville Police Department. "They're going to take the path of least resistance," said Tobias.

 

On Tuesday, Gainesville police arrested a man who was seen going from car to car in the Lowes parking lot on Archer Road, looking for any unlocked vehicles. 

 

In addition to spreading the word about locking doors, crime prevention officers are also going around town handing out report cards, which grade vehicles on how well-protected they are against any potential thieves.