The Island County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents on South Whidbey about an increase in burglaries and car prowls.

“We’ve had a little bit of spike,” Detective Ed Wallace said Tuesday.

A total of 13 burglaries and car prowls have been reported on the South End since Oct. 25.

According to the sheriff’s office, the thief or thieves may be parking close to where the crimes are being committed and loading the stolen items into their vehicle.

Most of the vehicles and buildings that have been hit have been unlocked, and the crimes appear to be occurring sometime during the early morning hours on weekdays.

Nearly half a dozen burglaries and thefts have been reported in the past week.

According to a 911 dispatch log provided by the sheriff’s office, a resident on Bayview Road said someone entered a garage through a sliding glass door overnight on Friday, Nov. 4 and stole a mini motorcycle and other items.

On Monday, Nov. 7, a Newman Road resident called police just before 5 a.m. and said a thief had gotten into a garage on the property and took power tools.

Another Newman Road resident also called police just before 7 a.m. and said someone broke into his two vehicles that were parked in the neighborhood.

Just before 8 p.m. Monday, a woman on Frog Water Road said she returned home to find a windowpane broken out of her front door. She then left and called police.

Also on Friday, Nov. 4, a resident near Soundview Drive reported seeing a man running down the street carrying a tool box. The person was wearing dark clothing, the caller said.

The sheriff’s office is reminding residents to lock their homes and vehicles, and to call 911 to report suspicious activities or vehicles in their neighborhoods.