The repeated occurrences of thefts from unlocked vehicles during recent months should have led citizens to secure their property, but it hasn’t, according to authorities.

The Walker County Sheriff’s Office is seeking further information regarding a series of thefts and entering autos that occurred between Tuesday evening, Jan. 8, and Wednesday morning, Jan. 9.

At least five unlocked vehicles were unlawfully entered during that period. In the cases that the cars were stolen, the keys had been left in the vehicle, according to sheriff’s captain Steve Rogers Jr.

Law enforcement officials do not know which crime occurred first, but the proximity and similarities leave officials to believe that the same individuals committed the incidents. The most important items reported missing are two guns from separate unsecured vehicles.

A Ford Ranger truck was taken from a residence on Foster Mill Drive. It was abandoned near the intersection of Chamberlain Road and Ga. 337.

An attempt to steal a Ford Explorer was also made at another residence on Foster Mill Drive, however the vehicle would not start.

A 2007 Dodge Charger was taken from a female resident living on Ga. 337. It was later returned that same night, according to Rogers. One of her neighbor’s vehicles was also targeted. A 9-mm Keltec handgun was taken from that vehicle, along with beer and a small sum of money being taken from a carport.

The thieves who stole the Charger took a GPS unit from the car, but left behind a camera.

The camera had been taken from a Toyota truck in the Fieldstone Farms development, along with a bottle of cologne and a 32-caliber Keltec handgun the owner had inside the truck.

An older model all-terrain vehicle was also stolen and then found by a resident on Ga. 337. The ATV owners have since been found and also live on Foster Mill Drive.

Two more entering autos were reported on Thursday morning, Jan. 10. Both were in the vicinity of the ones stolen earlier in the week. A 9-mm Keltec gun was taken from one of the two cars. Neither owner of the two stolen guns were able to provide a weapon serial number to authorities.

One resident did notice three suspicious young white males walking in the area at 5:30 to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 9. They are estimated to be 15-20 years old and one was described as wearing a camouflaged jacket with a hood.

Shortly thereafter, at 7 a.m. the residents began calling to report the thefts to authorities.

According to officials the suspected motive is to steal unlocked vehicles, then search for valuables and lastly to abandon the vehicle quickly.

An unspecified reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case. An anonymous tip can be left by citizens at the sheriff’s department’s website at walkerso.com.