Police are warning residents to lock their cars at night after a wave of auto break-ins over the past week.
More than a dozen car larcenies were reported in Cobleskill since last Sunday, and about a half-dozen more were reported in the villages of Schoharie and Middleburgh.
"They're taking whatever--prescription drugs, debit cards, electronic devices, phones," said Schoharie County Sheriff Tony Desmond.
In Cobleskill, residents called in seven complaints last Tuesday and Wednesday and six more Friday morning, according to Police Chief Larry Travis.
Thieves aren't breaking windows or jimmying locks; they're just hitting unlocked cars.
"These are crimes of opportunity," Chief Travis said. "They're not wasting time breaking glass; they're just going in and then dropping out of sight."
Wallets, jewelry, miscellaneous items were taken from Cobleskill cars, he added.
Similar items were stolen from Schoharie cars, including a wallet with a debit card, which means the eventual charge could be a felony, according to Sergeant Robert Coons of the Schoharie Police.
In some cases, nothing was taken, but car owners noticed their vehicles had been entered. One Elm Street, Cobleskill, woman found an EZ Pass and keys on the car seat, where she hadn't left them.
"We're telling people to lock their cars," Chief Travis said. "If you don't lock it, then don't leave anything of value in it."
All of the larcenies were in residential areas of the three villages. Both Sheriff Desmond and Chief Travis pointed that the thieves can hide easily in the shadows of a neighborhood at night.
"These are happening in the middle of the night. It's pretty hard to get a read on them," Sheriff Desmond said.
Although it appears the larcenies in all the villages may be related, the three officers aren't sure.
Anyone with information can call the Sheriff's Office tip line at 295-2295 or the Cobleskill Police at 234-2923.