Home security video obtained by CBS News Philadelphia shows a brazen thief in action rummaging through Denni Paolini’s SUV while it was parked in her driveway on Meadowlark Road in Stratford, New Jersey. 

“The fact there was a bunch of men and two vehicles, it’s a little freaky,” Paolini said. 

Paolini thought her Durango was locked, but when she came outside Tuesday morning, she found the center console in her SUV open and papers and cards thrown all over. 

“Like they were searching for something … my manual booklet was on my passenger seat left open, which I thought was weird,” Paolini said. 

Stratford Police tell CBS News Philadelphia they’re investigating at least five car break-ins since Monday, and now they’re circulating a crime alert to residents warning them about the rash of thefts. Police say a group of thieves on foot are searching for unlocked cars, and part of their plan involves being followed by getaway drivers, who are often riding in a stolen car. 

“I definitely think there is some sort of organized plan,” said Thomas Reinholt, the acting chief in Evesham Township. 

Evesham Township Police say they’re looking into at least six car break-ins this week, and we’re told several cars were also broken into in Cherry Hill. 

Investigators call it a crime of opportunity, and they say thieves are looking for money, a key fob to possibly steal the car, and a garage door opener to get inside the victim’s home. 

Multiple police departments are now working together because they believe some of these cases could be connected. 

“It’s out of character to have it in this weather. Usually we see it in nicer weather when it’s not as cold,” Reinholt said. “They know what they’re doing, they’re looking for cars that are unlocked and they’re looking for sources they can get in and out as quick as possible.” 

A woman in Voorhees who didn’t want to be identified said her son’s car was stolen this week and it was later found in Delaware. 

Police are reminding everyone to always make sure your car is locked and never leave anything valuable inside.

Rutgers University economist James Hughes, dean emeritus of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, said allowing homeowners to set up this kind of payment schedule does make sense for them financially.

“They’ll be building up equity faster than if it were a monthly payment, but it’s not a silver bullet that’s going to change the world,” Hughes said.

He said depending on the length of someone’s mortgage, it can take several years to see the benefit.

McCoy said as a homeowner’s mortgage balance decreases, equity, which she described as the cornerstone of financial stability, increases, and that gives people options.

“If you’ve got kids going off to college, you want to get the kitchen and the bathroom done, home improvements, if there are some crazy emergencies, these are the things pulling that equity out of your home [can cover] to help you with those particular expenses,” she said.

“It’s sort of a painless way of saving,” Hughes said. “Very few of us have the discipline to religiously put away a portion of our salary to build up equity.”

The legislation would also prohibit financial companies from imposing penalties on borrowers who want to pay additional amounts toward their principal.

“By offering this flexibility it really is a measure that helps homeowners manage their cash flow more effectively,” McCoy said.