Thieves have been breaking into many volunteers' vehicles outside a Detroit homeless shelter for teens on Virginia Park.

The thefts have been damaging. Car door frames have been bent and locks have been broken after the thieves pried them open.

Brenda Quintero's car was hit. Quintero, a shelter volunteer, uses a club to deter thieves but still worries about parking on Virginia Park while she is inside the home helping teens.

"Safety is No. 1. Vehicles, of course. The staff here, we've had seven vehicles broken into," she said. "He tried to bend the frame on the window, couldn't do that. He tried to pop the lock. That didn't work."

Eventually the thief used a brick to get into Quintero's car. The thieves have also gone after the van the shelter uses to transport kids. They ripped off the van's catalytic converter.

"It's a job of love, you know. It's not a job that you're getting paid huge amounts of money. So it is a hardship for all of us who have had their cars broken into," Quintero said.

The Detroit Department of Public Lighting told Local 4 they are working to replace bulbs which have burned out on the street.

Neighbors have been working to establish a neighborhood watch to look out for any suspicious activity.