Police in Petaluma are investigating a rash of auto burglaries that occurred Thursday near U.S. Highway 101.
Between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, there were 12 automobile burglaries reported in the area, according to the Petaluma Police Department.
The first burglaries were reported in retail parking lots near In-N-Out Burger and the Gateway Shopping Center, police said.
A short time later, there were more burglaries reported in parking lots near Cattlemen's Steakhouse, the old Orchard Supply Hardware and the Petaluma Golf Center on Stony Point Road, police said.
There were also several burglaries that were subsequently reported to the Cotati, Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa police departments.
Most of the burglaries occurred near U.S. Highway 101, and included windows being smashed and laptops, backpacks and purses being stolen.