There has been an increase in car burglaries recently at Mad River, Clam and Samoa beaches, and the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public against leaving valuables in unattended vehicles.

“Car burglaries are frequently crimes of opportunity and simply locking one’s vehicle may not be enough to deter a burglar,” a news release stated. “A thief can break a window and have access to a vehicle’s interior in moments.”

The Sheriff’s Office reminds the public to remove all valuables, such as purses, cameras and electronic equipment from the passenger compartment. “If one needs to store valuables in a vehicle, please take a few extra moments and secure them in the vehicle’s trunk,” the release stated.