(Hartford, Conn./WTIC) - The state has seen a spike in auto burglaries and thefts recently.
Big city law enforcement agencies say these vehicles are swiped elsewhere, mainly in the suburbs, and are ending up in larger municipalities.
Hartford police Lieutenant Paul Cicero says they've seen an uptick in recoveries of stolen vehicles from other cities and towns.
He says in one week there were an average of between 24 and 32 cars were swiped each night.
Cicero says the vast majority of the incidents are a result of owners leaving their vehicles unlocked or leaving keys and fobs in those vehicles.
He says a vehicle in the wrong hands of an adolescent or teen with no driving experience can be a deadly mix for the thief, other drivers, and pedestrians.