A new spate of car break-ins involving unlocked vehicles has prompted the Halifax County Sheriff's Office to encourage motorists to take items of value out.

Sheriff Wes Tripp reports there have been several break-ins within the last week, occurring in the daylight and nighttime hours. Many have taken place in the Bolling Road and West Tenth Street areas of Roanoke Rapids.

“With the weather beginning to change and more outside activities taking place, the sheriff’s office would like to warn residents to lock their vehicles and not leave valuables behind or in plain sight.”

The thieves are targeting any items of value including cell phones and chargers; GPS units, electronic devices and any money or change.

“Please be mindful of any suspicious people walking in your neighborhoods and don’t dismiss an occasional dog bark in the middle of the night,” Tripp said in a statement. “We ask that any resident report any unusual activity no matter how minor it may seem.”

Tripp said the sheriff's office is working on developing persons of interest in the cases.