Police are investigating an auto theft and several larcenies from unlocked vehicles that occurred overnight Sunday into Monday in Botsford.

At 8 am on Monday, police were called to a Button Shop Road residence, where they learned that an unlocked black 2013 Hyundai Elantra with its keys inside had been stolen.

Also, police received calls from several Swamp Road residents reporting thefts of items from unlocked vehicles.

In one case, a Swamp Road resident, due to the sound of a barking dog, discovered two young males who had entered an unlocked vehicle in the driveway. The person then chased the males from the driveway and they fled scene in a vehicle that headed toward South Main Street, police said.

Police Chief James Viadero said Monday morning that police would have a heightened presence in Botsford on Monday night into Tuesday morning, especially in the Swamp Road and Button Shop Road neighborhoods there in view of criminal activity that occurred there the preceding night.

Chief Viadero urged that residents keep their vehicles locked and their auto windows rolled up when vehicles are unattended, and also keep any valuables in those vehicles out of plain sight to deter crimes from occurring.

Keys should not be left inside vehicles. Remove items such as laptop computers, music players, and navigation units, police urge.

Thefts of items from unlocked vehicles parked in driveways have occurred repeatedly in town during the past several years.

Consequently, police have repeatedly urged residents to keep their vehicles locked when unattended.

To deter such crimes, police recommend that residents park their vehicles in well-lit areas. Security lighting triggered by a motion detector provide can deter crime, according to police.

People should avoid parking on streets, if possible.

Police urge that residents report all suspicious activity to them at 203-426-5841. Providing details to police such as clothing descriptions, vehicle descriptions,  and direction of travel can aid police in solv-ing crimes.

In the event of emergencies, call 911.