Someone has been on a car prowling spree across Oak Harbor for the past month or two, according to the police department.

Chief Kevin Dresker urges residents to take a couple of simple steps that will greatly reduce the chance of becoming a victim. Lock cars and don’t leave valuables inside.

“The vast majority of cases have been unlocked cars,” he said. “It’s a crime of opportunity.”

The thief has been taking money, electronics and other valuables left in vehicles. Dresker said the incidents have happened dozens of times in residential neighborhoods across the city. In the dark of night, the brazen thief simply opens the doors of parked vehicles and steals items of value.

The northeast area of town has been targeted this week. At least three car prowls on Northeast Taftson Street occurred Wednesday night. The night before, five cars were hit on Northeast Sealth Place, Sumner Drive and 11th Avenue.

Investigators believe it may be a single person in a car committing the vehicle prowls, though there could be more people involved, Dresker said.

The police are doing extra patrols. The chief urges people to immediately report suspicious activity.