The Fort Wayne Police Department is investigating a series of residential garage burglaries and reports that garage-door openers were stolen in a neighborhood north of Franke Park.

During a five-day period, victims reported their remote-control openers were stolen from their vehicles and that at least five times thieves gained access to their garages:

• Jan. 20, 400 block of Hampton Avenue – The resident found the overhead garage door open in the morning. He told police he believed the opener was taken from an unlocked van in the driveway. Items taken include a Thompson muzzleloader and scope, a compound bow and a cross bow.
• Jan. 20, 4100 block of Kentland Avenue – An opener was taken from an unlocked vehicle and the garage door was found open in the morning. No other loss was reported.
• Jan. 24, 4000 block of Aspen Court – Someone broke into a vehicle and took the GPS, garage door opener and two packs of cigarettes.
• Jan. 24, 4000 block of Patrick Lane – Thieves broke into a vehicle overnight and ransacked it. A wallet with business cards was taken.
• Jan. 24, 1300 block of Trick Avenue – Openers were taken from unlocked vehicles. No other items were reported missing.
• Jan. 24, 4100 block of Vail Court – The resident heard the garage door open about 4 a.m. and saw the door to his vehicle inside the garage was also open. The remote was taken from an unlocked vehicle parked outside the garage.
• Jan. 25, 4100 block of Kentland Avenue – Someone got into the vehicles and took the openers, possibly gaining access through an unsecured sun roof, and then got into the garage. Soft drinks and a hand drill were taken.

The police department wants to remind everyone to secure vehicle doors and windows, and not to leave valuable items – including a garage door opener – in your vehicle.

Police said there are no reports the thieves tried to get into homes, but they urged residents to make sure they lock any door to an attached garage.

Anyone with information is asked to call 436-7867.