A string of burglaries on South Whidbey prompted island police to issue a public warning this week.

The alert, issued Monday by the Island County Sheriff’s Office, reported a rash of break-ins in the areas around Saratoga and Lone Lake roads. In a later interview, Lt. Evan Tingstad said about a dozen have occurred in the past three weeks.

“We’ve been getting a burglary just about every day to every three days,” he said.

The thieves have largely targeted outbuildings such as sheds, shops and garages, the release said. Items reported missing include yard equipment such as chainsaws, leaf blowers and power-yard equipment, along with construction tools both large and small and battery and electrically powered.

Tingstad said police believe the break-ins are linked to one or two individuals.

The first suspect is described as a white male, 25-30 years old, 6 feet tall with a thin build, and with very short dark hair; he’s been seen wearing a “dark work-type jacket with over sized hood” and riding a red mountain bike.

The second suspect’s description is a white male in his early 50s. He has a heavy build, a full “2-inch” beard, has been seen with a very full backpack, and wearing a beanie or knit stocking cap, and woodland heavy jacket.

The public should watch out for a grey or silver passenger sedan, and an older two-tone blue suburban; it’s believed the men are parking and then walking to target locations.

“It’s a lot easier to sneak around on foot,” Tingstad said.

In one instance, the thieves hit a workshop making off with items totaling $7,000, though most losses were valued at a couple hundred — resale, not retail.

Anyone with information about the burglaries or to report a sighting, call 360-321-5113.