Several vehicles parked in or near the 1200 block of Sheridan Street in Loyalsock Township were illegally entered overnight Thursday, according to state police. “At least seven to 10 cars were entered. We’re still receiving calls this morning,” a patrol supervisor said about 9 a.m Friday.

It appeared that all the cars that were entered were unlocked, he said. “We have no reports of any broken windows. One victim reported a wallet was stolen from their vehicle,” but other than that incident, there were no other reports of anything significant items taken from other victims.

Police urge everyone to lock their cars so that they don’t become victimized by this type of crime.

Williamsport police also have had their hands full this week handling dozens of reports of unlocked vehicles being illegally entered, one officer said.

“We’re also seeing a rash of stolen cars. I believe we have had seven so far this week, but most have been recovered,” the officer said.

City police have received close to 40 stolen-vehicle reports this year, but again most of the vehicles have been recovered.

City police estimate that at least six firearms have been stolen from cars this year.

Referring to those entering cars illegally and rummaging through them, the city officer said “All they are looking for is firearms or keys to the vehicle so they can take it. The days of just taking someone’s small amount of change from a car are over,” he added.

Just overnight, a car was stolen from the 1100 block of Grove Street, but later found abandoned three blocks away, the officer said.

It is believed the same person who left the car then stole a nearby Ford 150 pickup truck that was still missing.

The patrol supervisor at the Montoursville barracks said they have not seen the same rash of car thefts that the city has had to deal with.

“We now just have two reports of stolen vehicles,” he said. He confirmed that a Hyundai Elantra stolen Tuesday from Elwood Road in Loyalsock Township was still missing.