A car that was stolen from Georgia Avenue last month has been recovered, but Roanoke Rapids police continue to investigate other car break-ins where unlocked vehicles are targeted.

Captain Andy Jackson said this afternoon investigators have processed the car, which was found abandoned in the Oak Ridge Apartments area. He described it as a fairly new Honda Accord that was stolen when its keys were found in another vehicle that was unlocked.

Over the last few weeks, the police department has noticed an increase in break-ins of unlocked vehicles. In the 1400 block of Charlotte Street, a GPS worth more than $300 was taken from an unsecured Explorer, Jackson said. In the 1000 block of Jefferson Street a laptop and camera were stolen from a 2010 GMC.

Jackson said Sergeant Frankie Griffin spotted a blood pressure cuff and later a handbag containing medical supplies on East Eleventh Street that were taken from a Toyota that was unlocked.

“To combat this trend, lock your car doors and roll up your windows, even if you're away from it for just a second,” Jackson said.

He said eliminate signs that your vehicle may contain something valuable, explaining wipe your windshield to remove signs of GPS bracket rings or simply remove the brackets when away from the vehicle. “Park in well-lit areas. These are crimes of opportunity and criminals are looking for easy targets.”