The Maine State Police Department is warning people about an increase in car burglaries.

State police, along with other law enforcement agencies in Maine and New Hampshire are investigating a large number of car burglaries that have occurred the past two weeks in Oxford, York, and Cumberland Counties, along with the New Hampshire lake regions, according to a press release from the Maine Public Safety Officer Shannon Moss.

The majority of the crimes have occurred late at night or in the early morning hours and all of the vehicles targeted had been left unlocked. Credit cards, cash and small electronics were stolen in several of the cases, said Moss.

Police are urging people to lock their car doors and remove any items of value.

“These break-ins are preventable and with the community’s help, police are confident they will see a decrease in the numbers of car burglaries,” said Moss.

Burglary Prevention Tips for Vehicles from Maine State Police:

-Don’t leave vehicles running unoccupied

-Always lock vehicle doors and take the keys with you when not in use, even in your driveway

-Don’t leave personal items in plain sight

-Remove valuables including firearms

-At night, always park your vehicle in a well-lit and visible place

-Don’t leave personal information in your car.

What to do if your vehicle is burglarized:

-Call the police and report the incident as soon as possible

-If you see any suspicious activity, call the police immediately

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.