Police in Bonney Lake are warning residents about an increase in car prowls in the Church Lake area of the city.

According to Officer Todd Green, there have been a total of 10 vehicle prowls over the past two weeks in the area of the city near the southern edge of Lake Tapps.

Green said all of the prowls have the same thing in common: Residents not locking their car doors.

Prowlers seem to be moving from vehicle to vehicle checking doors and removing the property from cars left unlocked.

“When they find a door that’s open, they take the belongings,” he said.

While police continue to investigate some of the more traditional “smash and grab” style prowls that have occurred recently in the state Route 410 corridor, Green said it was important to get the message out regarding the neighborhood prowls so residents can protect themselves.

“Those are the ones we’re trying to target,” he said.

Green said residents should be sure to remove all property from the vehicles, especially GPS devices, cds and personal items like purses and checkbooks and should make sure items such as garage door openers are out of site.

Though, most important is for residents to lock the doors to their vehicles.

Anyone with information about the recent spate of prowls should call Bonney Lake Police at 253-863-2218.