WASHINGTON, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Washington Police are reminding residents to lock their cars and secure their valuables out of sight after a recent increase in reports of vehicle tampering and theft in the area.

According to Washington Police, one such incident occurred Tuesday at 2:40 a.m. when police were dispatched to the 1800 block of Vincennes Avenue for a report of an unknown person inside someone else’s vehicle.

When arriving to the scene police attempted a traffic stop of a vehicle leaving the area, but the vehicle reportedly fled. Police said they found the vehicle abandoned behind a church on Oak Grove Road. It was later learned that the vehicle had been stolen.

Police never located the suspect and said the incident remains under investigation.

“Over the last couple of days, WPD has received multiple reports regarding vehicles being tampered with throughout the night,” the post reads. “We would like to encourage the public to lock their doors at night and not leave valuables in their vehicle.”

Police also asked residents in the area to review the footage on their security cameras and report anything pertinent to the matter to Sgt. Humphries via email here.