Seven vehicles were burglarized and thousands of dollars worth of items were stolen from the same Post Falls neighborhood early Sunday morning.

The crimes occurred on Marcasite and Tanzanite off 16th Avenue and Cecil Road, likely between 2 and 5 a.m.

Post Falls police Capt. Pat Knight said windows were broken in two vehicles at the same home.

"A purse was sitting in the front seat of one of the vehicles, so they had a reason to smash the window," Knight said.

Also visible and stolen were two rifles, two iPods and a GPS unit. Damage to the vehicles was estimated at $3,000.

With another vehicle, the door handle was tampered with to gain entry. Stolen items included two range finders, two Buck knives and a set of binoculars. The garage door opener clipped to the sun visor was used to gain entry to the garage, where a Remington rifle and floor jack were taken.

"We're starting to see a trend where the garage door opener is used," said Knight, adding that placing them somewhere that's not so obvious should be considered.

A helmet that was stolen from a victim's neighbor was found in the garage.

"The suspect probably got spooked and left it behind," Knight said.

Knight said partial fingerprints were taken from the helmet and vehicles.

Four of the vehicles struck were unlocked. Other stolen items included a Nikon digital camera, a loaded magazine from a gun, knives and other electronics.

The victims didn't have any suspect or vehicle descriptions, Knight said.

Those with information on the burglaries are encouraged to call police at 773-3517 or leave an anonymous tip at www.postfallspolice.com.

* Coeur d'Alene Police are investigating a cargo trailer burglary that happened at Great Floors, 3800 N. Government Way, last Wednesday night or Thursday night.

The owner, a subcontractor for the business, told police the latch above the lock had been cut to gain entry to the trailer and an estimated $5,000 worth of tools, including a compressor and drills, were stolen.