Austin Police Department is investigating more than a dozen car burglaries in southeast Austin

The Austin Police Department is investigating 23 car thefts in less than a month.

The thefts happened between mid-November and mid-December. The department is calling the incidents a crime of opportunity because 17 of them had car keys left inside.

More than 2,000 auto thefts were reported in 2016.

APD Detective William Beck said about a third of all burglaries are a crime of opportunity. People tend to leave their keys in their car, leave their doors unlocked, or their car running.

“Don’t leave your keys in your vehicle don’t leave it on your vehicle in your vehicle or around your vehicle or in a special hiding place there are opportunistic criminals were looking for this and will steal your car,” Beck said.

APD is also investigating cases of auto theft in the Greenbelt area.

Detective Beck said criminals are targeting new model cars like F-150’s.

He advises people to keep their cars locked and keys in hand.