HOUSTON -- Thieves have been targeting holiday shoppers' cars in parking lots while they eat, officials told KPRC Local 2 Monday.

Harris County sheriff's deputies said they have been noticing a pattern of car burglaries along F.M. 1960 near Interstate 45. Deputies said burglars are breaking into cars and taking all of the packages inside.

Deputy Sandi Crawford said there is traffic up and down the road with shoppers hurrying from one store to the next and parking lots full of potential targets.

"These parking lots are notorious for burglaries," said Crawford, "A lot of people aren't really aware of their surroundings."

Many shoppers do not seem to be doing anything to protect themselves.

Ashley Leach said she does "nothing really in particular" while shopping.

Authorities said a vehicle is burglarized in Texas every two minutes. Last year, 95,000 vehicles were stolen.

That's why the sheriff's Office has a task force in place.

Deputies patrol parking lots outside stores, looking for potential burglars.

"I'm looking for someone walking around the parking lot or just sitting in a vehicle," said Crawford.

They also check out potential stolen vehicles and talk to shoppers about staying safe.

The initiative started on Dec. 7 and, as Christmas nears, the patrols will get more frequent.

In one weekend, deputies on the task force talked to 150 shoppers and made a handful of arrests. They also gave out five verbal warnings and made five traffic stops.