MACON, Ga. — The Bibb County Sheriff's Office says there were about 260 stolen gun cases from car break-ins in 2018, and it's already happened to one family this year.
Christi Roberts says someone broke into her son's truck and stole a camera bag, lenses, and a rifle. An incident report from the Bibb County Sheriff's Office says the gun was worth about $800.
"I don't know what person in just their right mind would feel like they could just walk up to a car and knock a window out and steal things that aren't theirs," said Roberts.
Over at the Bibb County Sheriff's Office Captain Brad Wolfe says avoid leaving expensive items in your car, but says if you do leave a gun there, make sure it's secure.
"You never can tell where a firearm will end up. We've had firearms turn up all over the country that have been stolen in entering autos," said Wolfe.
Roberts says she hopes no one tries to pawn the gun.
"I've called just about every pawn shop that I can think of in Macon and they say they'd keep a look out for it," said Roberts.
Hamp Dowling, the owner of Eagle Gun Range, says using a lock box is one of many ways to hide a gun.
"Put a bolt in the floorboard and lock it to the bolt so that you can just keep your firearm safe," said Dowling.
Dowling says if you want to secure your firearm, you can buy a lock and stick it through the barrel to make it harder for someone to get to and use.
"They also make rifle lock-up kits where you lock up the mechanism of the firearm and you can bolt that down into a car," said Dowling.
Dowling says it's also a good idea to keep ammunition separate from guns. Roberts says the break-in has made her family more mindful.
"It can happen anywhere and we have to not leave things in our vehicles," said Roberts.
At Eagle Gun Range a lock box can range anywhere from $20 to about $150.
If anyone has more information about the break-in, they can call Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.