FISHERS, Ind. -- Several cars were broken into in the parking lots of hotels early Tuesday morning, but authorities said the vigilant patrol and keen awareness of a Fishers police officer resulted in three arrests.

The break-ins happened just before 2 a.m. on Tuesday. Officer Jim Hawkins was checking the security of vehicles in the parking lots of businesses and hotels in the 9700 block of Crosspoint Boulevard when something stood out, 6News' Ericka Flye reported.

"He noticed a vehicle just right across the way at the Residence Inn driving suspiciously, slowly through the parking lot," said Fishers police Sgt. Randy McFarland. "That vehicle then abruptly kind of stopped."

When Hawkins began driving toward the area of the suspicious vehicle, the driver quickly pulled out of the parking lot and drove toward Hague Road at high speed, police said.

Hawkins caught up to the vehicle and stopped it near the intersection of Hague Road and 96th Street.

Hawkins identified the driver of the car as James R. Farmer, 26, along with passengers Nicholus Joe Hamilton, 28, and James Allen Blankenship, 25. All three men were transported to the Hamilton County Jail and charged with seven counts each of theft and criminal mischief.

"The suspect's vehicle was pretty much laden with lots of different items that were stolen from at least seven different vehicles," McFarland said.

During the traffic stop, other officers found vehicles in the parking lots of the Residence Inn and Springhill Suites that had been broken into, leaving each with shattered windows.

Vehicles in the Studio 6 and Holiday Inn Express nearby were also broken into.

Police reiterated that people shouldn't leave valuables in their cars or open garages because thieves are attracted.