Powell police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the person or people responsible for a string of nighttime auto burglaries over the past week. They’re specifically asking people to check their surveillance camera footage for suspicious people or vehicles — and to protect their belongings.

Powell Police Chief Roy Eckerdt said the roughly 16 burglaries — apparently committed between April 25 and Wednesday — have been “crimes of opportunities,” where the culprit or culprits have taken “stuff that’s sitting out and accessible.”

“None of these vehicles have had evidence of forced entry,” said Eckerdt. “Secure your vehicles, don’t leave your valuables in plain sight.”

Police say there have been several different batches of auto burglaries, with the stolen items running the gamut from binoculars to cash.

One burglary was reported in the 800 block of East Seventh Street on Sunday, April 26 and a delayed report on West Third Street came in on Friday, May 1. That was followed by eight more reported burglaries on the morning of Sunday, May 3, for burglaries on Mountain View Street and Avenues A, F, G and J, according to police logs.

Six more reports of burglaries came in on Wednesday morning from Douglas, Division and Edmonds streets and Sylvan Court.

Eckerdt said police believe the crimes are all related, though he declined to elaborate on why.

“We’re investigating, collecting evidence, coming up with what we can, searching for video,” he said.

In addition to asking for any footage of suspicious activity for those dates and locations, police are also seeking any additional reports of burglaries.

“It’s not [too] late to report your vehicle as burglarized if you just noticed or thought it wasn’t important because something wasn’t taken,” the department said in a Wednesday Facebook post.

Citizens can call 307-754-2212 to file a report or offer a tip. Anonymous tips may be left on the department’s Crime Tips Line by calling 307-764-8400.

In the meantime, police urged residents to “please LOCK, LOCK, & LOCK your vehicles, campers and other items of value.”