Topeka (WIBW) - With a crowd of law enforcement and VIPs focused on a podium outside Topeka's Great Overland Station Wednesday, a man walked up to a parked car nearby.

Suddenly, an arm shot out, the driver's side window shattered and the man reached inside, grabbed a bag and ran off. The nearby crowd stood stunned.

Fortunately, this breakin was staged to coincide with the Safe Streets and Topeka City of Character monthly presentation. Organizers wanted to show how quickly a crook could break into a vehicle and make off with possessions left inside.

The demonstration seemed fitting, given the man this month's gathering honored.

Retired Topeka Police Major Ron Brown was a founding member of Safe Streets. As such, he has been deeply involved with programs such as Lock It, Remove It or Lose It, which aim to educate people on how they can prevent vehicle breakins.

Brown says the work of Safe Streets remains vital in keeping our community safe. He says he was humbled the group chose him to receive its Champion of Character award.