HOULTON – When the business day winds down in the early evening, it is common to see residents pull their cars into their driveways and head into their homes.

Often, they do so without locking their car doors or tucking valuables out of sight.

But that behavior is becoming increasingly risky, police said Wednesday, as a rash of car burglaries continues to spread throughout town.

Late last week, police charged two juveniles with burglary of a motor vehicle after they allegedly pilfered goods from 18 unlocked vehicles in the Mill and Smyrna street areas.

The duo allegedly made off with compact discs, loose change, bits of paperwork and other property from the vehicles, most of which were later recovered.

But the burglaries have since continued, and police are warning residents to take action now to avoid being targeted.

Special Investigator Mark Ganzel of the Houlton Police Department estimated Wednesday that four or five additional car burglaries have occurred since last Friday evening.

“This is the time of year when more people are outside, especially in the evenings,” Ganzel noted. “We really want to emphasize to people that they should always lock their vehicles, even if they are sitting right in their own driveways, and put any valuables out of sight.”

“Don’t leave anything of value exposed in your car that might appeal to a thief,” he continued.

While Houlton residents have been heavily targeted over the past week, they are not the only community dealing with the problem. Presque Isle Police Chief Naldo Gagnon said Wednesday that his department also tends to see more car burglaries at this time of year.

“Some people go through neighborhoods looking for unlocked vehicles just to see what they can get out of them,” he said. “And the burglars tend not to stop until they get caught.”

The chief reiterated that locking car doors and concealing valuables is the best defense.

“It takes the opportunity away,” he said Wednesday.