As I understand it, your wife's locked car was damaged by someone who wanted to get into it, and your neighbor did not have any damage or loss when their unlocked car was entered.
The same type of criminal activity occurred in my neighborhood a few years ago. 42 of my neighbors had their LOCKED vehicles damaged by person/s who entered the vehicles, probably looking for something worth stealing. All of those vehicle owners had to deal with the police, their insurance companies, and repair shops. They had deductible insurance, so it cost them money out of their pocket and time without a vehicles while they were being repaired.
My UN-Locked vehicle was also entered. I could tell because a map, flashlight, and a few other items were sitting on my front seat, and the cover box door was open. I put the stuff back into the glove box, closed the door, and went on about my business. Maybe I was a little smarter than all those people that locked up their vehicles. At least I did not have any out of pocket expenses and I did not have to leave my car somewhere to be repaired.
42 neighbors found out that night that a lock does not prevent a dishonest person from causing a problem. Locks are intended to keep honest people honest and to slow down the dishonest person. I do keep the windows of my vehicles rolled up at night to keep the cats out, and when it might rain,but the doors are always unlocked.
I have been doing this for over 50 years. The only time anything was stolen was while the car was getting an oil change at a major service center, and an employer there stole a flashlight from inside the car. I lived in Chicago for five years in the 60's and the Phoenix area for the past 37 years.