Area law enforcement are urging people to protect their valuables in the wake of a rash of thefts that have been reported from parked vehicles in multiple neighborhoods in recent weeks.

Multiple thefts and attempted break-ins into vehicles were reported in the North Ridge subdivision overnight during Dec. 19-20 and investigated by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

Later on Dec. 20, WCSO investigated the theft of a 2014 Honda Civic from Ivan Downs Boulevard.

The vehicle was recovered later that day, but deputies were also called to investigate the theft of a 2015 Acura MDX from Pennyroyal Lane.

Theft of vehicles and valuables kept in vehicles parked in the Ivan Downs, North Ridge and Stagner Farms neighborhoods have kept law enforcement busy during the holidays.

“We’ve seen an increase (of thefts) here of late but I wouldn’t say that’s normal,” Warren County Sheriff Brett Hightower said. “There’s an ebb and flow at all times I would say, typically we see it more in the spring and fall.”

Deputies stepped up patrols after the spate of break-ins reported on Dec. 19-20, which helped lead to the breakup of a suspicious incident early Monday morning.

Deputies patrolling that day in the Baileys Farm subdivision saw a man in dark clothing run from two parked vehicles before getting into the back seat of a Nissan Altima with no headlights on.

The Altima began fleeing when deputies attempted to make a traffic stop, and the pursuit ended when the car crashed in the parking lot of Sonny’s BBQ on Three Springs Road.

WCSO said three men ran from the wrecked car, and while they were not located, deputies did recover a rifle, cell phone and key tools from the Altima, which was reported stolen from Nashville.

The current rash of thefts remain under investigation, but the sheriff said previous thefts of a similar kind in recent years have been the work of people who travel into the area from Louisville or Nashville and canvass neighborhoods for things that can be taken from unprotected cars.

To stay secure against thieves, Hightower said people should park their vehicles in garages when possible or in well-lit areas, keep them locked and remove all valuables from them.

Hightower also said car security systems featuring motion sensor alarms can also deter would-be thieves.

“It literally takes 30 minutes and (thieves) can collect several hundred dollars worth of items, whether it’s purses, credit cards or firearms,” Hightower said. “Be aware when you’re out, if you see something suspicious, say something and report it, write down license plates.”