DAYTON -- It's that time of year when malls are full of people, and parking lots are full of cars.
"I lock my car and I sort of park away from people," shopper Janet Bernard, said.
Bernard also keeps her bags of goodies in the trunk.
"People are out to just see what you got on the seats," she said.
But now law enforcement agencies are using a bait car from the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
Inside this special car are cameras, and outside are waiting police officers.
So far this season, they've caught two bad guys.
"It's just a thief that you're catching out doing what a thief does, which is steal," said Dayton Police Major Larry Faulkner.
Faulkner says they've used bait cars similar to this in the past and it was successful, but he still has a warning for shoppers.
"They can be a victim of crime anywhere, in any community, and what they need to think about is getting all of the stuff in their car out of sight, secure it in the trunk or keep it on their person," he said.
He also suggests that women don't carry their purses with them. Leave them at home, or lock them in the trunk of your car and just bring your cash and credit cards.
"Just simple procedures, simple thought can avoid 90 percent of the problems people encounter," Faulkner said.
Problems like the thieves and for Bernard it's just that simple.
"Think about what you're doing, just always think about what you're doing," she said.
Police also suggest parking in well-lit areas and make sure you are aware of your surroundings.
"I lock my car and I sort of park away from people," shopper Janet Bernard, said.
Bernard also keeps her bags of goodies in the trunk.
"People are out to just see what you got on the seats," she said.
But now law enforcement agencies are using a bait car from the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
Inside this special car are cameras, and outside are waiting police officers.
So far this season, they've caught two bad guys.
"It's just a thief that you're catching out doing what a thief does, which is steal," said Dayton Police Major Larry Faulkner.
Faulkner says they've used bait cars similar to this in the past and it was successful, but he still has a warning for shoppers.
"They can be a victim of crime anywhere, in any community, and what they need to think about is getting all of the stuff in their car out of sight, secure it in the trunk or keep it on their person," he said.
He also suggests that women don't carry their purses with them. Leave them at home, or lock them in the trunk of your car and just bring your cash and credit cards.
"Just simple procedures, simple thought can avoid 90 percent of the problems people encounter," Faulkner said.
Problems like the thieves and for Bernard it's just that simple.
"Think about what you're doing, just always think about what you're doing," she said.
Police also suggest parking in well-lit areas and make sure you are aware of your surroundings.