Resident leaves note to thieves: 'Please stop robbing us' - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

An unusual note taped to the back of an SUV pleaded to crooks to stop breaking into cars in a DeKalb County neighborhood.

Kindergarten teacher Barry Murphy made the sign after crooks walked up her Tucker driveway, into her carport and stole a GPS and loose change from her vehicle.

"I was frustrated. I was trying to express myself," said Murphy.

The note read, "Hi neighborhood thieves! Please stop robbing us. We are just trying to educate young people...on teacher's pay...which isn't a lot. Thanks! Xoxo"

While the note makes light of the crime, she says she now sleeps with her keys close by.

"We're teachers. We're struggling too. They're cutting our pay, just like people can't get jobs.  I know everybody's struggling, but that's not a reason to go steal," said Murphy.

Residents in a nearby subdivision off of Idlewood Road have also been recent victims of burglaries.

In the last few weeks, at least a dozen cars have been ransacked.

"Several of the neighbors up and down the streets and then in the neighborhoods that join ours have been broken into," said Matt Christian.

Nathan Phaneuf's vehicle on Hideaway Drive has been hit twice in two weeks.

"When they came the second time, they made sure to pop the trunks and go through the trunks as well," said Phanauf.

The crooks have mostly stolen electronics such as chargers and portable GPS devices.  

In most cases, the car doors were not locked.

DeKalb County police are investigating the rash of break-ins. They said the best defense is to not leave any valuable in your vehicle.