Authorities in Reading, Massachusetts, are investigating several car break-ins and thefts in the area overnight.
Reading police say they received three reports of stolen vehicles and a series of break-ins.
Police said one report came in around 5:37 a.m. Saturday about a vehicle that had been idling on Main Street since 5 a.m. Responding officers found the car was still running with its lights on and no driver or anyone else in the area.
Officers discovered the vehicle had been stolen in Melrose overnight. It was returned to its owner.
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Another report came in around 8:20 a.m. for a vehicle that had been stolen sometime during the night in the area of Spring Street. Officers learned the car was in the Medford/Somerville area and it was located shortly after in Somerville and returned to its owner.
Around 10:14 a.m., police learned another car had reportedly been stolen from Prospect Street. This car has not yet been found, police said.
While investigating these three stolen cars, police say they received nine calls from residents who reported that their vehicles had been broken into and some things were stolen. These incidents occurred in the areas of Locust Street, Middlesex Avenue, Condor Road and Copeland Road.
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According to police, in almost all cases, victims' vehicles were unlocked.
The Reading Police Department is reminding residents to always lock all car doors, to never leave keys in vehicles, to roll up windows and close sunroofs, and to double check that your vehicle is secure each night around 9 p.m.
Police also say you shouldn't leave loose electronics and money in plain view. You should park in a well-lit area and call police if you notice something missing.
"I would like to remind community members to ensure that their cars are properly locked and that all valuable items have been removed from the car before exiting the car, regardless of what time it is," Chief David Clark said in a statement. "We are continuing to investigate several incidents of motor vehicle break-ins and thefts and ask that our community members stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity they may see."
Anyone who would like to report a car break-in, or who has video surveillance or information regarding the stolen vehicles or the break-ins that occurred overnight, is asked to call the Reading Police Department at 781-944-1212.
