Three reports of cars being entered early this week on Riverside Drive highlight a common problem, according to Gainesville Police Sgt. Kevin Holbrook.

All three vehicles, one of which had something stolen from it, were unlocked and had items of value in plain sight that attracted attention.

The three reports came Tuesday, and the incidents were believed to have happened overnight Monday.

Holbrook said locking car doors and keeping items of any value out of sight “drastically cuts down the chance” of such instances.

Holbrook advised locking up valuables in the car trunk or at home.

“Don’t advertise yourself to the criminal element,” Holbrook said.

With temperatures rising this spring, the sergeant said residents should be alert to possible thefts.

“That typically leads to an uptick in these types of crimes,” Holbrook said.

He added that police are responding accordingly.

Previous incidents of entering autos have occurred on Riverside Drive has also seen. Holbrook said criminals talk to each other, and if they’ve had success somewhere, they’re likely to come back.