Johnston residents, did you forget to lock your car doors?

Here’s your annual reminder: Lock your car doors.

We publish that lede about once per year. It always follows a rash of neighborhood car break-ins, which result in multiple calls to police, and sometimes an arrest.

This time is no different.

“Virtually all our car burglaries involve vehicles that are not locked,” according to Johnston Police Chief Mark A. Vieira.

A Johnston resident reached out to the Johnston SunRise over the weekend.

"Over a dozen cars were broken into on Scenic View (Drive) early Friday morning,” the reader wrote via email. “Neighbors heard that a few juveniles had been caught by Johnston PD but never heard if charges were filed. Just thought it would be good to remind people this is happening everywhere — and to lock their doors!"

Around 1:15 a.m., Friday, July 26, Johnston Police were flagged down by a resident near the intersection of Hartford Avenue and Scenic View Drive, according to Chief Vieira. The witness told officers they saw “at least three juvenile males inside their vehicle who ran away as soon as the vehicle’s alarm sounded.”

Vieira said the three boys were on foot and “quickly located in the area by police.”

“A preliminary investigation determined at least three vehicles were rummaged through between Lakeview Avenue and Scenic View Drive,” Vieira said Monday afternoon. “One of the juveniles was in possession of a stolen wallet, which was returned to the rightful owner. The owners of the vehicles chose not to pursue criminal complaints. As a result, criminal charges were not filed and the juveniles were released to their parents.”

The incident should serve as yet another reminder to property owners.

 “To prevent car burglaries, residents are reminded to lock their vehicles when they are unattended. Also try not to keep valuable items in your vehicle and never leave your keys in the car,” Johnston’s police chief explained. “If you must keep valuable items in your vehicle, keep them out of sight. Lastly, if you observe suspicious individuals on foot in your neighborhood late at night be sure to contact the police department immediately.”