NORWICH – The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office is asking that drivers lock their vehicles in light of a recent surge in car-related thefts.

Police reported they have received a high volume of complaints in the last few weeks of residents having their personal belongings taken from inside unlocked vehicles.

Lt. James Lloyd said deputies had recently responded to incidents near the Chenango Lake area in the Town of New Berlin, County Route 32 and Dan Main Hill Road both in the Town of Norwich.

“We’ve seen a high number of car thefts in the last few weeks. People are leaving their doors unlocked. The thieves just go up to a vehicle and if it’s locked, they just move on down to the next,” said the lieutenant.