@Lupin – They just cruise the streets looking for opportunities. Then the fastest one in the car dashes up and grabs whatever it is and they are off and gone. I just make certain not to leave anything out where they can get it.
If we were allowed to fence our front yards I would let the dogs out at random intervals, but I have settled for a large “Beware of Dog” sign. That plus leaving the front door open but the storm door locked discourages folks from getting too far from the curb.
Someone did try to break in through our front door while we were home one time, but the dogs took care of that. We have a pit bull and an American Bulldog who simply love to chase people who do stuff like that.
BTW, I don’t have a lawn. I have trees and shrubs so they would be very unwise to drive up into my yard.