State Police in Berks County are warning residents to lock their cars and hide their valuables after a rash of car burglaries the past few weeks.

During the day, the streets around Bechtelsville and Barto are quiet. At night though, a thief is coming out.

"They're looking for vehicles that are unlocked, and looking for electronics, money, that type of thing," said Lt. Raymond Guth with the Pennsylvania State Police.

Since last month, authorities said someone has targeted numerous cars in residential areas at night.

They're looking for a white male in his late teens or early 20s, driving a dark-colored vehicle, possibly a black Chevy Lumina.

The thief is mainly getting away with GPS units, cash, and jewelry. Police said the one common thread is that all the cars are unlocked.

The cops' advice is pretty simple: lock your car.

"There is no place in Berks County that is safe to leave your car unlocked," said Guth.

Also, if you do have valuables in your car, get them engraved with a serial number or some other distinguishable marking.

Guth added that summer is the prime time of year for nighttime burglaries.

"Normally we do see these more during the warm months, because the weather's conducive to people being outside at night," said Guth.

Any information regarding these crimes can be provided directly to the PSP Troop L Reading barracks by calling 610-378-4011— pressing option # 3—and asking to speak to a Criminal Investigator.