Authorities Seek Thieves In String Of Beach Car Break-Ins

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Surfers say it's an unwritten code: Don't touch the car keys they leave when they go into the water.

"We all know that, but no one ever breaks that respect that we have for one another," surfer Raymond Silkman said.

Silkman says that for 15 years, no one has messed with his stuff, until a couple of months ago when someone broke into his vehicle parked near Sunset beach and stole his wallet and phone.

"I felt hurt. Why would someone do this to another person?" Silkman asked.

He says the culprit used his credit cards, spending $25,000.

LAPD has released security footage from one of the stores where the cards were used.

Authorities say there are a few people suspected of breaking into or stealing at least five cars in the Pacific Palisades area.

Surfer Isaac Marck says he leaves his keys on his wheel also, and now questions whether he will stop.

"You don't want to ruin the experience, and you don't want to be paranoid, either," Marck said.