A wave of thefts from vehicles in Ballwin earlier this month has prompted a warning from the city’s police department urging citizens keep their valuables more secure.

According to police records, there were five vehicle break-ins in the Ballwin area between Jan. 31 and Feb. 6, resulting in the loss of items such as medical supplies, a GPS unit, a cell phone, textbooks and a purse.

Four of the five incidents occurred on the same night, Jan. 30, with the remaining incident taking place on Feb. 5. In instances where the vehicle was locked, the suspect or suspects broke a window or damaged a lock to gain access.

Ballwin Police recommend that residents keep valuable items securing by taking them inside their residence or storing them in a locked trunk and not leaving them easily displayed in unattended vehicles.

The incidents were described by police as follows:

• The window of a vehicle was broken while it was parked in the 300 block of Bolton Drive, causing damage estimated at $400.
• The window of a vehicle was broken while it was parked in the 300 block of Woodgreen Drive. Numerous medical supplies were taken out of the vehicle. The total loss was estimated at $1,000.
• The window of a vehicle was broken while it was parked in the 200 block of Brite Star Court. The damage was estimated at $200. A GPS unit valued at around $130 was taken.
• The door handle of a vehicle was punctured, causing the lock to malfunction, while it was parked in the 300 block of Bolton Drive. A backpack containing numerous notebooks and textbooks was taken. The combined loss was estimated at $775.
• On Feb. 5, a purse and cell phone valued at $200 were stolen out of an unlocked vehicle in the 400 block of Monticello Drive.