A week after Coronado High School students returned to school after winter break, a handful of them had their cars broken into and personal items stolen.

Students said  phones, sunglasses and other small personal items have been stolen from their locked cars.

Last week when students returned the number of car break-ins jumped from two to five.  El Paso Independent School District officials said burglers broke into three cars in their student parking lot on Jan. 17.

In only one of those cases, the student left their car unlocked.

Some Coronado High School students told KFOX14 they're friends with the students who had their things stolen.

"His car was broken into and his sunglasses were stolen," said Asim Saadatkhaa.

"I let them know right now to double check--not to leave any of his iPods or mp3s out because they can easily just break a window and take it," said David Tarango.

Because theitems were stolen from the school's parking lot, students assume the crooks are probably among their peers. School officials said students need to remind to not leave their valuable items in plain view.

El Paso police saidthat these types of crimes increase when studentsleave for summer orwinter breaks and again when they return to school.