A rash of unlocked vehicles unlawfully entered throughout Monroe, Randolph and St. Clair counties is under investigation. 

In all, it is believed more than 70 vehicles were entered last Wednesday during the early morning hours. 

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department received reports of vehicles entered in the Country Lakes subdivision off Konarcik Road in Waterloo and in the 300 block of Gilmore Lake Road in Columbia.

The MCSD is investigating 11 such reports. All were unlocked, police said. 

“We are asking residents to check your property, along with reviewing video surveillance if you have it,” the MCSD posted on Facebook. “If you’ve seen any suspicious vehicles around 4-6 a.m., we ask that you please call our dispatch at 618-939-8651.”

The Waterloo Police Department is investigating four such reports in the area of Wedgewood Drive. All of those vehicles were also unlocked, the WPD said.

Neighboring agencies reported similar incidents overnight at the east and west ends of town in Red Bud and also in New Athens. 

Police encourage all residents to lock their vehicle doors overnight and remove all valuables from plain sight.